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