Hannah Hampton was not supposed to make it as a professional athlete. The doctors told her it would not be possible. That professional sport was not meant for someone like her.
In Hampton’s case, “someone like her” meant someone who has a depth perception problem, meaning her ability to tell how far away she is from one thing compared to another is compromised.
Or, as she explained when appearing on the Fozcast podcast with former England goalkeeper Ben Foster in December 2021: “I basically have no depth perception, so I can’t judge any distances.”
“How does that work as a ‘keeper?” asked Foster.
“I really don’t know,” replied Hampton, who saved two penalties in the dramatic European Championship final win against Spain. “It just does.” Read more about England’s hero below.
Hannah Hampton: How a goalkeeper with almost no depth perception helped England win the Euros
