MARY Earps has laughed off the BBC SPOTY row with a fun TikTok as fans share their support.
The Lioness goalkeeper and World Cup finalist, 30, scooped the Sports Personality of the Year award on Tuesday after topping the public vote.
After dazzling on the red carpet in a stunning black gown, she collected the iconic trophy from Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
She is just the second female footballer to be crowned – a year after her Lionesses team-mate Beth Mead became the first.
And with Emma Raducanu the 2021 champ, the award has been won by three women in a row, a feat not seen since the 1960s.
While the country backed her, Joey Barton and Piers Morgan were just a few people who lead complaints following her win.
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Barton, who claimed women are not qualified to talk about the men’s game, questioned why Earps won it ahead of a host of champions in other fields.
And Morgan, 58, insisted that the Lionesses’ star should not have claimed the prize because she hadn’t “actually won something”.
Still in high spirits today, the female footballing legend decided to laugh off the mixed opinions.
Posting to her one million followers on TikTok, Earps shared a fun video sat next to a couple on a plane.
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The pair were completely unaware they were sat next to the goalie as they read a newspaper article about her win on Tuesday.
Earps jokingly shied away and hid under her cap.
And in a post last night, she danced with her huge trophy.
Flooded with support from hundreds of fans, one person said: “There is only one Mary Earps in the world and that is more than good enough.”
Another wrote: “Well done. Well deserved you’re an amazing goalkeeper.”
A third commented: “As an English man and a United fan you make me very proud.
“You are a true inspiration not just for every young girl and lady but for anyone that can dream of reaching their targets in life.”
Earps, who nearly quit football two years ago, accepted her award smiling from ear to ear.
She said: “I feel a bit sick, actually.
“I would like to say how humbled I am to be on a stage with such athletes. Sport is a fantastic thing that brings people together.
“Thanks for voting for me, I probably should have started with that!
“This is the ultimate all-round sporting accolade, the Lionesses and United have had an incredible couple of years. It’s not been the easiest journey and I wouldn’t be where I am without some incredible people in my corner.
“They have been with me through the really really not-so-great times.
“The last couple of years have been unbelievable. Thank you to my team-mates and my coaches.
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“I don’t know what else to say so I’m going to stop before I get the boot from Gary Lineker.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
