Pro Soccer Player Joining Houston Fire Department

A women's professional soccer player has announced that she is retiring from the sport and is taking in the new challenge of becoming a firefighter.

Midfielder Christine Nairn with the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced in a recent Instagram post that she is hanging up her cleats after 26 years playing the sport and accepted an offer to attend the Houston Fire Academy.

"I am happy to announce that my new dream and life challenge is here," Nairn said in the post. "I have accepted the opportunity to join the Houston Fire Department Academy to become a Firefighter. Cheers to all the memories and all those who have helped me to go this point. Thank you."

Nairn, who originally hails from Bowie, MD, has represented the United States on both the junior and senior levels, including helping the under-20 national team win gold at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile.