Abby Wambach has scored 146 goals in 191 appearances with the United States women's national team over the years, but her biggest triumph off the field could be getting free Chipotle for life.
Chipotle, a chain of restaurants that specializes in burritos and tacos, has given the two-time Olympic medalist a gold card. That's a lot of burritos; maybe she could share with her teammates if they ever find themselves near one of the Mexican food chains' 1,300 locations.
Wambach posted the good news on her Twitter account over the weekend and expressed her satisfaction on the social media site.
She said, "So Chipotle today told me I was getting a gold card that I get free burritos for life. Happiest day ever."
I wonder what was a more thrilling moment for Wambach, getting a gold card from Chipotle or scoring the game-tying third goal, on a penalty kick, in the U.S. national team's 4-3 semifinal win over Canada in the London Olympics. I would think the latter, but I don't know how much the girl likes her burritos and tacos.
I can't remember another time in sports when an athlete received a lifetime gold card from a food franchise. It got me wondering: has there even been another athlete who has received a gold card from any business. I'm sure Michael Jordon has one with at least one of the products he endorsed in his career. Was Pittsburgh Steelers legend Joe Greene given a lifetime supply of Coca-Cola for his infamous Super Bowl commercial? I'm sure that ad moved a lot of Coca-Cola off store shelves. I'm sure Michael Phelps got something nice out of his Subway deal that probably helped the sandwich business sell a lot of Cold Cut Trios.
Wambach didn't even have to do an endorsement for Chipotle to get a gold card. Steve Ells, the CEO and founder of Chipotle, must've been a big U.S. women's national team fan. Was the gold card given to Wambach a way for the business to gin up publicity? If it was it worked rather beautifully.
The 32-year-old trails legendary striker Mia Hamm by only 12 goals on the national team's all-time leading score's list. Her clutch play when matters get hairy and that goal total give her every right to enjoy a lifetime supply of burritos.
David has been an Arsenal fan for nearly a decade.
