Wasn’t expecting Herbstreit to weigh in on this one.
Of course Kirk Herbstreit is one of the most respected college football analysts on TV right now. The former Ohio State quarterback and current host of College GameDay is one of the most prominent figures on ESPN, and the network isn’t exactly known for their right-wing views.
And one of the most hot-button topics in sports right now (aside from what’s going to happen to Michigan in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal) is the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
The issue was brought to the forefront once again last week when Algerian women’s boxer Imane Khelif, who was born female but has previously been disqualified for having XY chromosomes, won a match against Italian boxer Angela Carini in only 46 seconds.
Obviously there are athletes like Riley Gaines who have been outspoken about the issue of biological men competing in women’s sports. But for the most part, many of the main figures in sports have chosen to remain silent on the topic, no doubt fearing backlash from one side or the other if they jump into the debate.
Which is why it’s surprising that Herbstreit chose to respond.
The ESPN analyst was asked on Twitter whether he thought that men belong in women’s sports, and he had a pretty straightforward answer:
“Of course not. Ridiculous question.”
Of course not. Ridiculous question https://t.co/SpwZ07zewv
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 6, 2024
And I’ll admit, I agree with him. It sounds like a ridiculous question. The problem is, a lot of people are actually in favor of it these days.
Unfortunately it doesn’t appear to be ridiculous anymore. It’s a real deal issue today.
— G. Bag. (@greg_gbag) August 6, 2024
It may be ridiculous to us but look how many institutions are letting it happen.
— Grand Larsony🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@keithlarson49) August 6, 2024
It should be a ridiculous question. Sadly it is not.
— Donnie G (@DonGuerra3) August 6, 2024
Of course, the fact that Kirk decided to weigh in made some folks fear that his days at ESPN are now numbered:
Well, you were great on ESPN while you were there.
— lookingglasself (@lookingglass401) August 6, 2024
This is gonna anger the ESPN cultists.
— JustGregory (@GregoryGambles) August 6, 2024
And some think he’s playing semantics, while maintaining his ability to argue that he didn’t say anything about “trans” women (i.e. biological men).
This isn’t honest. Everyone agrees on that. Here’s the question-
Do “trans” women belong in Women’s sports?
$100 says he won’t answer that question.
— Bream Was Out (@ParkingChair_) August 6, 2024
Either way, it sounds like Herbie is agreeing with his College GameDay co-host Pat McAfee, who weighed in on the debate on his show last week:
“We need some fairness. And there’s no reason that we should be seeing a potential male physical body punching a woman. Growing up, that’s like the worst thing that you could possibly do. And now it’s like, we’ve gotten to a point where it’s like, ‘Well, is it?’
It is…
It’s sad. This is a very sad situation.”
Interesting times in the ESPN front office, I’m sure.
