Former ESPN host Samantha Ponder will assuredly draw the ire of a certain community with her latest comments.
Ponder, who is married to former NFL and Florida State signal-caller Christian Ponder was let go from ESPN for reportedly making financial decisions before the start of the 2024 season.
In an an “Ask me a question” post on Instagram, she was asked what she would do if one of her children were transgender and wanted to play sports, and how she would handle it. She responded :
“I would lovingly and patiently help them realize that no child is born in the wrong body. That they can’t possibly know what it feels like to be another sex just like they cannot know what it feels like to be another race.
It means they are unique. I was one of those kids. They are loved exactly how they were made. Created on purpose, not by mistake. I wouldn’t take them anywhere near a therapist or doctor who thinks mutilating their growing body or pretending to be something they are not is the solution to their thinking. And then, if they wanted to play sports, I would explain biological advantages and make sure they compete in the category they were born into. Often the most loving thing we can do for others (and ourselves ) is just to calmly speak the truth.”
The question of where or against whom transgender athletes should compete has been a hot-button topic. Earlier this year, the NCAA announced a policy change on its transgender student athlete participation rules. While men’s categories are open to all eligible student athletes, women’s sports are restricted to biologically born female athletes. The policy does, however, allow for student athletes who are assigned as male at birth to practice on, but not compete with, women’s teams and receive benefits such as medical care while practicing with teams.
