Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian moved by NWSL star Maria Sanchez sharing harsh childhood stories about not being allowed to play with boys

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian was compelled by NWSL star Maria Sanchez's recollection of her childhood, during which her parents discouraged her from playing soccer. Ohanian was of the stance that more such stories of NWSL players should surface.

Sanchez was born in the United States, but plays professionally for the Mexico national women's soccer team. At club level, she plays for the San Diego Wave of the National Women's Soccer League as a forward, having signed earlier this year.

Recently, Sanchez featured in an episode of The Offseason, a show focusing on 11 different NWSL players interacting with each other while staying in the same house. The show's official Instagram handle shared a video of Sanchez recalling how her traditional Mexican parents did not want her to play soccer because most of the time, she had to play the sport with boys.

"Not really at first (about parents not being supportive when she first started playing soccer). They were very, like, Mexican traditional, so they would not let me play with boys. I would have to sneak out of my house to go play soccer because it was all with boys," Sanchez said.

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian later shared the video on his Instagram story with the following caption:

"These stars of the NWSL have such compelling stories. Dunno why it took so long for a show like @offseasonfc but here we are!"

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian's Instagram Story featuring Maria Sanchez's childhood soccer confession from The Offseason (Source: Instagram/Alexis Ohanian)

Ohanian himself is one of the co-creators of The Offseason. Earlier this month, he hit out at the show's critics.

"Told us there wouldn't be an audience" - Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian takes shot at critics of The Offseason

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian (Source: Getty)

The Offseason's first episode premiered earlier in October and quickly amassed over 3 million views. Alexis Ohanian, who co-created the show, was ecstatic with the development and took a swipe at critics who had initially dismissed the show.

Ohanian took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his take on the subject, writing:

"3,200,000 VIEWS and counting 😮‍💨 and people told us there wouldn't be an audience for a reality show starring pro women atheltes."