A new documentary from ESPN focuses on the tragic story of Katie Meyer, the former Stanford soccer goalie who died by suicide in 2022. Titled “Save – The Katie Meyer Story,” the film is set to premiere on ESPN on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET and will be available for streaming on ESPN+ thereafter. Directed by Jennifer Karson-Strauss, the documentary skillfully combines interviews, video footage, and details from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Meyer’s parents against Stanford University.
The film begins with a poignant scene featuring Meyer, who was the captain of the soccer team, sitting alongside her father, Steve, in February 2022. The footage shows a moment from the first episode of Meyer’s podcast, “Be The Mentality,” where she asks her father about personal growth and learning from life’s challenges. Tragically, Meyer passed away just two weeks later at the age of 22.
Meyer’s parents express their belief that had they been aware of the disciplinary issues she faced at Stanford, their daughter might still be alive. Stanford University has responded by expressing condolences for Meyer’s passing and stating that they are unable to comment on the documentary as they have not yet seen it.
The documentary showcases Meyer’s vibrant personality, explores her life and untimely death, and delves into the legal proceedings of her parents’ lawsuit against Stanford, scheduled for trial in April 2026. The lawsuit alleges that Stanford mishandled the disciplinary matter involving Meyer, while the university points to struggles within Meyer’s family dynamic as a contributing factor to her mental health challenges.
Through poignant moments from Meyer’s podcast and insights into her relationship with her parents, the film paints a moving portrait of a young woman grappling with personal and athletic setbacks. Meyer’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support within academic and athletic communities.
It was challenging for Meyer to not allow such events to define her. She recalls feeling inadequate to play as a freshman at Stanford, but her father saw it as a blessing in disguise, providing her the opportunity to acclimate. The next year, Meyer’s exceptional performance helped lead Stanford to a national championship. During a podcast, she fondly remembers celebrating with her father and also mentions her mother’s presence.
As the podcast concluded, Meyer glanced at her laptop to review questions and comments. She noticed her mother had checked in and read her message aloud: “Hi, my loves.”
The documentary features Julie Foudy, a former Stanford soccer star, as the reporter representing ESPN. Foudy expresses her strong connection to Stanford and her love for the university. Although her ties to Stanford are not disclosed in the film, Foudy explains that it was not a topic of discussion.
Foudy poses tough but fair questions to Stanford in the documentary, with the school declining to appear on camera and responding to inquiries in writing. Meyer’s parents provide extensive on-camera interviews. Foudy acknowledges the difficulties, yet emphasizes the importance of sharing the story.
The film also delves into the Meyers’ advocacy for the passage of AB 1575, known as Katie Meyer’s Law. This law mandates that public California colleges and universities allow students to have an adviser when facing student code of conduct violations. Despite Stanford’s status as a private institution exempt from the law, recent legal motions suggest a deeper involvement between Katie Meyer and a Stanford official, raising concerns of deceit.
The Meyers’ legal team alleges that the Stanford official acted more as an attorney for Katie than in an advisory capacity, leading to a breakdown of trust. Stanford refutes these claims, asserting that the official did not serve as an attorney for Katie. Discussions surrounding redacted communications and documents are ongoing.
“When Ms. Zimbroff found out about Katie’s involvement in a situation that could result in a disciplinary process, she made it known to her colleagues in the legal department that she would not participate in providing legal advice for those proceedings. She vowed to continue supporting Katie in her role as a resident fellow,” explained Mostofi. “We strongly refute the inaccurate claims made by the plaintiffs in the recent court filing about Ms. Zimbroff, asserting that they are baseless and irresponsible. We remain confident that these allegations hold no validity.” The case is expected to be decided later this year, along with other pending issues before the trial commences. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, please call 988 at any time for immediate assistance, or chat online. Crisis Text Line offers free and confidential support via text messaging 24/7 to individuals in crisis by texting 741741. This article was originally featured on USA TODAY, discussing Katie Meyer’s life and the ESPN documentary focusing on the former Stanford goalkeeper.
