“Living A Nightmare”: Olympics Star and NCAA Hall Of Famer’s Career Takes Tragic Turn After Terrible Walmart Incident

The higher you are, the further you fall. That sometimes, unfortunately, is true for our favorite stars as well. The situation can degrade further: even athletes who have gone on to represent their countries at the Olympics can fall prey to unwanted situations. While not all scenes spiral into the infamous O.J. Simpson debacle, they can still be damaging to the athlete’s reputation.

Former Canadian national softball player and two-time Olympian Meaggan Pettipiece was recently in the middle of a soup that has since proved to be harrowing. An article by the National Post has brought Pettipiece’s misfortune to light. According to the September 1 article, the California Vulcans alum was arrested in March this year on shoplifting charges at Walmart. However, while she’s now cleared of the charges, the Olympic veteran has lost her job as the head coach of the Valparaiso University softball squad.

Naturally, it’s a mixed feeling for Pettipiece, who is a Hall Of Famer in California’s NCAA program. “I’m happy, obviously, the charges were dismissed. The sad part is the damage it did to my career. It has changed everything in my life,” she told the National Post. The tremors of her arrest are still being felt, and no one has suffered more than the former Olympics star. “It’s been five months, a living nightmare. I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it’s been really difficult,” the article quotes Meaggan saying from her home.

On March 28, the softball coach was arrested after an Indiana Walmart outlet reported her to the police on grounds of theft. It was alleged that Pettipiece didn’t scan some of the items at the self-checkout despite having paid close to $200 for her other groceries. When the cops arrived, they found three disposable vapes and two unopened blister packs containing the anti-nausea medication and marijuana in her possession. Soon after, she quit her job and moved to Ohio. But the experience has left behind a sour taste. “It was so ridiculous,” grumbled the Olympic old-timer. Luckily, she isn’t the only one who’s had to face jail time because of these charges.

Olympics vet latest to join a long list

In 2013, Florida State QB Jameis Winston was charged with shoplifting charges after he allegedly stole $32.72 worth of crab legs from Publix. A surveillance video of the incident by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office created a whirlpool of attention on social media. In 2010, then-rookie wide receiver of the Seahawks Golden Tate was cited for breaking into a doughnut shop at 3 am. He later apologized for his deeds while proclaiming his love for the maple bars of the shop. A former Montreal Canadiens player was arrested in Florida for stealing a woman’s purse.

While knowing she isn’t the only one who went through a life-changing experience because of something insignificant, Pettipiece can’t help but look at her past few months as a learning experience. But considering the elite level she has performed at, it’s understandable that she feels shaken and disturbed. How would have you reacted in such a situation? Tell us below.