Former Minnesota Vikings player Jack Brewer has publicly criticized Attorney General Keith Ellison over his legal battle involving transgender athletes in girls’ sports. The AG is taking legal action against President Trump and the Department of Justice, challenging an executive order that aims to restrict transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Brewer, a former University of Minnesota football player and NFL veteran, has voiced strong concerns about the decision, accusing Ellison of lacking understanding of competitive sports.
Brewer, who played four seasons for the Golden Gophers from 1998 to 2001 before joining the Vikings in 2002, emphasized that allowing transgender athletes into girls’ sports is a significant threat to the integrity of women’s sports. He argued that the state, once a leader in women’s rights and Title IX compliance, is now deviating from its core principles by supporting the inclusion of transgender athletes in these sports.
Brewer’s comments were echoed by the Trump administration, which condemned the lawsuit as ‘creepy and anti-woman,’ with White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stating that the AG’s actions were both harmful and politically motivated. The AG, however, defended his position, explaining that the lawsuit was necessary to protect vulnerable children and ensure their right to participate in sports according to their gender identity.
Ellison’s lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, argues that the Trump administration’s executive order does not have the authority to dictate state-level athletic gender eligibility policies. Minnesota is the first state to take legal action against the Department of Justice over this issue, making it a significant legal battleground in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Reports of a transgender softball pitcher who has dominated a girls’ season and won 14 consecutive games have further intensified the controversy. The athlete’s performance has raised concerns about the physical advantages that biological males may have in sports, with critics like Brewer arguing that such athletes could significantly impact the sport’s competitiveness and safety.
Ellison’s office has also pointed out that the Minnesota State High School League has decided to defy federal law by allowing transgender athletes to continue competing in women’s sports. This decision has led to legal repercussions, with the Minnesota House of Representatives failing to pass legislation that would have protected girls’ sports by restricting transgender athletes from participating in female-only athletic programs.
A recent survey conducted by the New York Times and Ipsos found that the majority of Americans, including a significant number of Democrats, do not support the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The survey revealed that 79% of respondents believe biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports, with 67% of Democrats agreeing with this stance. These findings underscore the deepening divide on this issue and highlight the broader implications for the future of women’s sports and athletic integrity.
As the legal and political battle continues, the case has become a national focal point, drawing attention from policymakers, athletes, and the general public. The outcome of these legal proceedings could have far-reaching consequences for both state and federal policies affecting transgender athletes and the future of women’s sports across the United States.