Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher has expressed strong support for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's views on transgender athletes participating in women's sports. Urlacher, a former linebacker for the Chicago Bears, described Cunningham's statements as "common-sense things" and praised her for her conviction.
"She just says what’s true. She says common-sense things, and she gets so much backlash. She’s like, 'Men should not be playing in women’s sports.' Why is that so controversial? I don’t get it. I don’t understand it," Urlacher said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. He added that he admires Cunningham for standing by her sentiments despite facing criticism.
Cunningham recently stated that "young girls...shouldn't have to go against biological men" in sports. Urlacher applauded her for not retracting her comments, emphasizing the importance of consistency when making a statement. "It’s a simple statement. She stood by it. That’s what I love about when people say things: Don’t back down. If you say something, stand by it. And she said it. She backed it up. She’s not backing down, no matter how much heat she gets from certain people," he explained.
Urlacher suggested that Cunningham's opinion might be in the majority, estimating that "Eighty percent of the country thinks it’s true." He further commented on the perceived political climate within the WNBA, noting that it is "a liberal and mostly gay league, which is fine," but that Cunningham's willingness to voice her opinion in such an environment is commendable.
Cunningham herself has stated her commitment to her beliefs, saying, "I'm not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I'll always stand on those." She has also emphasized the importance of protecting female athletes, stating, "It's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category."
Despite not being a regular follower of the WNBA, Urlacher indicated that Cunningham, along with Indiana Fever teammate Caitlin Clark, are the only players he actively follows. Cunningham has garnered support from various Republican lawmakers and advocates for women's sports following her comments.