'Boycott Subway': Angry franchisers want 'anti-American' Megan Rapinoe ads pulled

Megan Rapinoe's radical purple hair has been as talked about as her alleged radical left views. The activist athlete has long made waves for her statements that have struck as controversial with the conservatives, and looks like her performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was no different. After the USA's disappointing and shocking defeat at the finals, Subway franchisees among others are demanding the athlete be pulled from their ads. The reason? Rapinoe's 'anti-American' gestures like kneeling during the national anthem at the Olympics.

Not that long ago, right-wing author Candace Owens had publicly called the US women's soccer star a 'piece of trash' after her performance at the Olympics. Accusing her of being 'anti-American', Owens wasn't the only one who chastised Rapinoe for her opinions, as former president Donald Trump too took a jab at her hair as well as soccer skills. But it is the North American Association of Subway Franchisees who are now demanding action against Rapinoe after a Wisconsin Subway outlet received a note warning of a boycott until the parent company cuts off ties with her. 

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Rapinoe's past with activist demonstration includes stomping on the American flag during the 2019 World Cup finals and later saying she was not “going to the f***ing White House” to be honored by then-president Trump, for the win. Her journey at the highly anticipated 2020 Olympics saw a shocking defeat from Sweden after she had taken the knee at the beginning of the match. And then came the devastating loss to Canada at the Olympic semifinals, which has made customer complaints to the global fast-food giant seem inevitable to many.

In the wake of Subway paying whopping amounts to hire Rapinoe's endorsement, the note warning boycott arrived at the NAASF's online message board just last month. A member of had posted the photo of a hand-written note left on the door of a Wisconsin Subway store, that read: “Boycott Subway until Subway fires the anti-American POS (piece of sh*t) Megan Rapinoe, the creep who kneels for our beloved National Anthem!”

The New York Post reveals that the NAASF complained subsequently complained to the parent company that this association with Rapinoe was upsetting customers. They also asked these ads featuring Rapinoe be pulled, with the group’s executive director Illya Berecz writing to the members: “Your NAASF Board has already communicated with leadership the concerns voiced by NAASF membership.” An attorney who represents the franchise told the outlet: "I had a bunch of franchisees calling me on this today. They are trying to get the ads pulled.”

The ad in question shows Rapinoe knocks a burrito off a man's hand before ordering him to eat a Subway sandwich instead. This drew backlash, as one franchise wrote: "The ad should be pulled and done with. It gets tiring apologizing.” Bridgitte Gabriel, founder of a right-wing group, tweeted: "#BoycottSubway until they stop paying this traitor!" Trump endorsed author Nick Adams also tweeted: "RT if you won't eat @SUBWAY until they FIRE America hating Megan Rapinoe!" 

Users quickly chimed in saying: "Subway if you keep Megan on for endorsements after she openly disrespects our country then you are not getting my business." Others drew in comparison with Subway's former spokesperson and convicted pedophile Jared Fogle, writing: "It seems @SUBWAY has a pretty poor history of choosing spokespersons. First it was pedophile Jared and now it's America hating @mPinoe." Another blasted the company, tweeting: " so you first had Jared as your shill now you have Megan Rapinoe. WTF are you thinking? Better yet, who is doing your marketing? YOU’RE FIRED."