Sophie Cunningham’s comments about transgender athletes have become one of the biggest talking points around the WNBA in recent weeks.
The conversation intensified again after The Guardian published a critical piece that labeled Cunningham a “culture war ambassador” and described the veteran guard as “anti-Black.” Since then, fans, media, and former athletes have continued weighing in from every angle.
Now, former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko also joined the debate and sparked another wave of reactions online.
Breiden Fehoko Makes Opinion Clear on Transgender Debate Amid Sophie Cunningham’s Controversy
Posting on his X account, Fehoko first challenged the broader discussion surrounding transgender children.
“When a baby is born at the hospital, they are either a boy or a girl,” he wrote. “There are no trans kids. Stop pushing that [expletive] on this generation. It’s only groomer parents.”
The post immediately fueled debate because of its direct wording.
The following morning, Fehoko expanded on his position by arguing that the broader transgender discussion could eventually reshape competitive sports, particularly women’s basketball.
“A male college basketball athlete should identify as a woman for a few years,” he wrote on X. “Let’s get you drafted into the WNBA. If they don’t draft you, they’re hypocrites who don’t “value trans rights.” If they draft you, you become the best to ever grace the hardwood. Emphasis on hard and wood.”
His follow-up message drew another flood of responses, with many agreeing with his concerns while others strongly criticized the argument.
The whole conversation became a national debate last month when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN’s Hallie Grossman that she opposed “young girls” being forced to compete against “biological men.”
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against assigned men at birth.”
As the discussion intensified, the Indiana Fever also released an official statement to clarify the organization’s position.
“Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own,” the Fever said in their statement. “We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”
Cunningham’s position on transgender athletes closely aligns with views often expressed by conservatives. Although she has not identified herself with the MAGA movement, her stance mirrors parts of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies regarding transgender participation in women’s sports.
In February last year, Trump signed an executive order barring transgender individuals from competing against girls and women in sports. Explaining the move, he wrote that the government “will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and our girls. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.”
This connection has fueled even more public debate around her comments. However, Cunningham has repeatedly pushed back against attempts to label her politically.
“I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs, I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and be treated true to who I am,” she said. “When it comes to protecting young girls, and sports, and women in sports, I feel very strongly about that.”
For now, the conversation shows no signs of slowing down, with more athletes, public figures, and fans continuing to weigh in.
