After nine years on the turf, Jen Beattie announced her retirement from professional football. The Scottish soccer player had an inspirational career playing for clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Bay FC in the NWSL. The 33-year-old defender expressed gratitude for her time in the professional world and stated, “I’ve loved every second of it,” as she officially announced her retirement.
Playing Career
She started her professional career in 2006 at Queen’s Park in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, where she played for two years before joining Celtic Football Club in the same league. Within a year, her dominance in the defensive position caught the attention of Arsenal, which immediately signed her for the 2009 Women’s Super League season. Despite being a defender, she often made her way to the score sheet and registered eleven goals during her 43 appearances from 2009 to 2013. She left Arsenal for Montpellier Hérault Sport Club in the French Women’s Premiére Ligue. After a two-year contract, she joined Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.
She joined Melbourne City in Australia, playing in the A-League Women on a brief loan before Arsenal called her back on an undisclosed contract, which was renewed after her first year. She stayed at the club for four years before marking a move to the NWSL with the Bay FC.
National Team Legacy
Beattie has long been a dominant force on the national team squads for the Scotts, starting off with U17 and U19 before she finally made it to the national team. She announced her retirement after 143 national team caps and 24 goals at the level.
Beating Cancer
In 2020, Beattie was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She had surgery and started radiotherapy treatment. Beattie had the full support and backing of her club, Arsenal, throughout the challenging period of her life. Even during her radiotherapy, she stayed active on the field and was finally declared cancer-free. She has used this experience to be vocal about breast cancer and has worked with many cancer organizations, such as Pink Ribbon Good, where she became a beacon of hope for patients battling breast cancer.
Her commitment to cancer awareness has been recognized with nominations for awards like the Lauren Holiday Impact Award. Bay FC donated $5,000 on her behalf to cancer activities in partnership with Nationwide.
Hero on and off the Turf
A defender rarely makes it to the score sheet, but the case was different for Beattie, who was no stranger to scoring. The right-foot defender completed her professional career with 29 goals. One of her career highlights was scoring in a heated-up semifinal game against Wolfsburg in the Championship League. She also scored at the 2019 World Cup against Argentina to add to the early lead Scotland.
Beattie is more than an athlete, as throughout her career, she has been committed to social work and speaking up against inequalities. She is noted for her fundamental role in rallying fellow athletes to launch a legal action against the Scottish Federation over equal pay opportunity.
Legacy
Beattie has been nothing but an icon to young female athletes, from making it to the U19 team at just 14 years old and beating cancer during one of the most uncertain times of the 21st century to being a dominant goal-getter even as a defender. She will continue to be a symbol of hope, and her continued work off the field will greatly impact everyone who crosses her path.
