The North Carolina Courage have made the decision to not bring back controversial defender Jaelene Daniels, declining her 2023 option on Monday.
In a statement on Daniels’ release: “The club wishes Jaelene the best in her future endeavors.”
Following a brief retirement, she signed with the Courage in the offseason. The team would issue an aplogy for that back in December.
“We are very sorry to all those we have hurt, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community,” the club told fans.
Daniels was a controversial signing after she previously refused to play for the U.S. national team when they wore rainbow-colored numbers for Pride Month, a decision she attributed to her Christian faith.
She would make that same decision for the Courage’s Pride Night this summer.
Daniels was a regular contributor to the Courage during her return to the team, playing in 19 of the club’s 22 regular-season games while making eight starts.
