Team USA women's hockey star Hilary Knight hopes that male sports fans - and the general public - have learned a "lesson" this week when it comes to how we talk about women's sports and female athletes.
Much was made about President Trump's "joke" about the U.S. women's hockey team. President Trump, 79, called the U.S. men's team following their gold medal win in Italy. He "joked" that he wanted to invite them to the White House, but they should know that he has to invite the women's team - which also won gold and, frankly, has been much more dominant - too.
"I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that," adding that if he didn't invite them, "I do believe I probably would be impeached."
U.S. men's players laughed hard at the joke. They have since admitted that they should have reacted better.
“It was unfortunate," said Team USA captain Auston Matthews.
"We love the women’s team. We support them. The night we won the gold medal, we were hanging out in the dining hall until like three, four in the morning. It’s unfortunate that occurred. We have nothing but love and respect for the women’s team and what they were able to accomplish. And it’s amazing that the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams are both bringing home gold medals for the United States of America. And I think that should be talked about more than the other. But we’re extremely proud of them and happy for them and we support them 100 percent.”
USA goalie Jeremy Swayman added: “We should have reacted differently. We are so excited for the women’s team. We have so much respect for the women’s team. To share that gold medal for them is something we’re forever grateful for. Now that we’re home, we get to share that together forever and see the incredible support we have from the USA and sharing this incredible gold medal.”
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Knight, the best player for Team USA's women's team for the last decade, has made it clear that she and the men's team have a good relationship.
She admitted that there is a "genuine level of support and respect" between the teams that's being overshadowed by a "quick lapse."
"Our achievements shouldn't be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are," she told SportsCenter.
But Knight also wants this to be a learning opportunity for everyone
Knight believes this should be an important point in sports history, where male sports fans, especially, talk about female athletes and women's sports in a different way.
She wants it to be a "really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry. Women aren't less than, and their achievements shouldn't be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are."
It's well said.