"I've known since I went to the national team when I was very young that I was a different bird"

In this quote, Tiffeny Milbrett, a previous American expert soccer player, reflects on her experience of signing up with the national group at a young age. She acknowledges that from the beginning, she felt like she stuck out from the rest of her teammates. The expression "different bird" suggests that she felt unique or different from the others, maybe in regards to her skills, personality, or background. This could likewise indicate that she dealt with challenges or barriers that set her apart from her peers. In spite of this, Milbrett's use of the word "known" suggests that she has come to accept and accept her differences, and it has actually ultimately shaped her into the effective professional athlete she became.