NFL free agent Aaron Rodgers is the latest to come out against transgender competitors in women’s sports, calling their participation a ‘slap in the face to women’s athletics.’
‘[The] trans-women movement is actually anti woman 100 percent,’ Rodgers told podcaster and friend Joe Rogan.
‘You’re not seeing trans men dominating anything,’ he added. ‘No, because there’s a biological difference [between men and women.’
Rogan agreed, recommending all sports entities do chromosome tests to ensure transgender athletes aren’t permitted in women’s competitions.
‘That’s way too much common sense there,’ added Rodgers.
The two insisted their position was not based in bigotry, but rather a desire to see fair competition in women’s sports.
Joe Rogan (left) and Aaron Rodgers both want to exclude trans athletes from women’s sports
The debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has been a hot topic since the University of Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas’ NCAA championship victory in 2022
‘The idea that that’s bigoted is so crazy when there’s a demonstrable effect like you can clearly see that these people that are identifying as women but are actually biological males have massive advantage,’ Rogan said.
Rodgers agreed, saying those defending transgender athletes in women’s sports ‘can’t even define what a woman is.’
The debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has been a hot topic since Lia Thomas’ NCAA championship win in 2022. She has since been banned from competing in women’s events by World Aquatics. Thomas has challenged the ruling and was denied re-entry into swimming competition last year.
The issue has only grown more heated under President Donald Trump. Since his inauguration in January, Trump has signed executive orders requiring the federal government to recognize only two genders and another titled: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.’
Penn swimmer Lia Thomas and Kentucky’s Riley Gaines react after finishing tied for 5th in the 200 Freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18th, 2022
In the latter order, the Trump administration vowed to rescind funding to any institution that permits trans athletes to participate in female sports. Since then, the NCAA has amended its policy and now limits women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth.
What’s more, the Trump administration moved to suspend $175million in funding from Thomas’ alma mater, Penn, over their refusal to expunge her records.
Rodgers comments on the debate follow those of TNT Sports star Charles Barkley, who called transgender participation in women’s sports ‘bulls***.’
‘Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid,’ Barkley added. ‘I support the gay community 100 percent. I support the transgender community 100 percent.’
‘But I do not, under any circumstances… think that men should play sports against women. And if anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my [mind]. I just think it’s wrong, period.’
‘I don’t even think that’s controversial… I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against woman. I’m done.’
