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hope2.jpg
U.S. Women's National soccer team goalie Hope Solo smiles during practice in Portland. The U.S. Team will play Ireland today in an exhibition game.(AP/Don Ryan photo Tues. Nov. 27, 2012)

Hope Solo says media abused her, Jerramy Stevens did not

Saying "I'm happy" three times and "I've never been hit," Hope Solo spoke briefly for the first time about her recent marriage to former NFL player Jerramy Stevens.

Solo diffused the drama surrounding her personal life as she prepared for an exhibition soccer match in Portland.

"My life is great," the goalkeeper says. "My life is happy."

On Tuesday, Solo made her first appearance with the national team since she was married to former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens in Kirkland a few weeks ago.

Stevens was arrested at a pre-wedding party early in the morning of November 12. Solo and her brother blamed a disturbance on three unknown men.

Officers said they had probable cause to arrest Stevens because Solo had a cut on her elbow and the two had been arguing.

In court later in the morning, a judge determined there wasn't enough evidence of domestic violence to hold him for charges.

That night, Solo and Stevens got married. Solo posted a smiling photo of herself with Stevens on social media a couple of days later.

Solo, who's 31, says she and Stevens never had any problem until the media blew the whole incident out of proportion.

"It's unfortunate what the media can do to judge before the facts are out there. It's hard to see, but it's a hard truth, and it's part of life. I'm happy. I'm happily married," Solo says. "I would never stand for domestic violence. I've never been hit in my life."

Stevens, 33, played for the Seahawks for awhile, but has had a number of problems off the football field.

Among his problems: In 1998, Stevens was arrested for second-degree assault armed with a deadly weapon and fourth-degree assault.

In 2000, Stevens was arrested for the sexual assault of a 19-year-old University of Washington freshman. Prosecutors declined to file rape charges because of insufficient evidence.

In 2001, Stevens pleaded guilty to hit-and-run and causing property damage to a building and was sentenced to 240 hours of community service.

In 2003, Medina Police stopped him for reckless driving and driving while intoxicated. He was fined $1,000 and was sentenced to two days in jail; He has been arrested multiple times for marijuana possession.

More recently, in March of 2011, Stevens was arrested and charged with felony battery for punching two bouncers in a Tampa, Florida bar.

Solo has been involved with at least a few aggressive incidents she outlined in her book, "Solo: A Memoir of Hope."

She wrote about her benching during the 2007 World Cup after she criticized legendary keeper Brianna Scurry. She alleges then-coach Greg Ryan shoved her, although he denied it. She also claims that "Dancing with the Stars" partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy slapped her. He denies that.

"Like I said, we're happy, and ultimately that's all that matters," says Solo.

By LINDA THOMAS

AP contributed to this report


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Comments (24)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    such a happy couple. I wish them all the luck in the world.
    But, Dawg, you still blew, what, 6-7 pass receptions in Superbowl XL.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Says Media abused her. WHAT!!
    Alot of pressure was being put on WSU coach and then your staged even pops up and its all about you. Flashing the Satanic sign OxMxG.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Newton, that sign was a "W"
    for Washington, as in the University of Washington, which they both attended. No Satanic sign. Move along, nothing to see here.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HockeyMom wrote...
    "W"
    Maybe to Newton the UW "W" is a satanic sign. :)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Police report noted "A cut on her elbow"?
    In all these decades of marriage, I have never once hit my wife- but if I were so inclined it's hard for me to imagine that the first place that came to mind to strike would be her elbow.

    Maybe, (just maybe) he didn't beat her up, as many in the press have encouraged us to believe?

    Who cares? In just a few short years Hope Solo will be as forgotten and irrelevant as Tonya (Tanya?...see almost entirely forgotten) Harding.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Annie (1) wrote...
    Enough already!
    Can this please be the last "story" about these two people? I can't quite believe I am typing this-but I actually agree with Mr. McCarrell that this is better suited to People Mag. They say they are happy-good-now let's drop it & discuss real news.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Abused?? Really?
    Riiight Hope. I saw the way you were "Abused" in that nearly naked photo layout for ESPN. Sex always sells, ain't that right? You're a great athelete but an even better attn whooore..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    What's new?...when the media is not busy abusing individuals
    they are busy selling NWO tyranny. More bread and circuses please....Rome is burning...the press is fiddling.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    I am happy for him
    and for Stevens too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    Great to see the media self-reflecting
    While I may not be one who follows the gossip side of the news world, I have to offer kudos for this self-reflection. At times, the media does more harm than good by picking up hearsay and running with it. Good on the reporters for calling that spade a spade, I s'pose.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • EARTHMAN911 wrote...
    No hope for Hope and Jerramy
    Jerramy seems to be one of those "Man-Child" characters that are stuck at about 9 years old emotionally. Does anyone think it will last a year after Hope realizes this???
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    18 of 28?
    Nuts
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }