Rachel Rohrabacher and Bobby Edwards: On Dec. 20, pickleball player Rachel Rohrabacher announced her engagement to Bobby Edwards, a former MLS player and current Academy Goalkeeper Coach for FC Cincinnati. Edwards proposed at Arcadia National Park in Maine, marking a significant milestone for the couple who have been together for several years.
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From Long-Distance to Lifelong Commitment
Rohrabacher and Edwards first met at the University of South Carolina, where she played tennis and he was part of a semi-professional soccer team. Despite Edwards moving to Cincinnati for his MLS career, the two stayed connected.
“We met through mutual friends and we started talking. But during COVID we started officially dating, which is crazy because he was in Cincinnati and I was in Tampa for my Master’s program at the University of South Florida.” – (Rohrabacher)
Their relationship blossomed through long-distance communication, with video games serving as an unconventional yet effective way to bond.
“I told him to get an Xbox because I play, and because of COVID and the travel restrictions we weren’t going to be able to see each other. So, we actually hung out for five hours a day because we had nothing to do, so we’d play video games together.” – (Rohrabacher)
“Playing Xbox together was how we hung out. That kind of bonded us and kept us in touch, which could have been so isolating. But, we had fun with it.” – (Rohrabacher)
Managing Career Changes Together
Rohrabacher and Edwards have seen their career paths shift since they met. Rohrabacher transitioned to a full-time professional pickleball career, while Edwards began coaching for FC Cincinnati. Despite their demanding schedules, their shared understanding of the challenges in their respective sports has strengthened their relationship.
“It’s so beneficial to have him as a partner, not only for the person he is, but his understanding of this lifestyle. This life is so abnormal. Other than my parents, Bobby is my biggest supporter, which means so much to me.” – (Rohrabacher)
Life on the professional pickleball tour involves intense practice, frequent tournaments, and extensive travel. Rohrabacher credits Edwards for his unwavering encouragement through it all.
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A Bright Future Ahead
As the couple celebrates their engagement, Rohrabacher’s new emerald-cut ring is set to shine on pickleball courts worldwide. Their story, built on resilience and creativity during a global pandemic, serves as a testament to the power of connection and support.
Congratulations to Rachel Rohrabacher and Bobby Edwards on this exciting new chapter.
News in Brief: Rachel Rohrabacher and Bobby Edwards
Pickleball player Rachel Rohrabacher announced her engagement to former MLS player Bobby Edwards on Dec. 20. Edwards, now a coach for FC Cincinnati, proposed at Arcadia National Park in Maine. The couple met at the University of South Carolina and maintained a long-distance relationship during COVID, bonding through video games.
Both credit their shared understanding of sports for strengthening their connection. Congratulations to the couple on their engagement.
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