Former Vikings player Jack Brewer criticizes Minnesota's transgender athlete policy in girls' high school sports

Jack Brewer, a former safety for the Minnesota Vikings who played for the team from 2002 to 2007,^[1] expressed strong disapproval of Minnesota's policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' high school sports. Brewer, a Minneapolis native who attended high school in the state before playing college football at the University of Alabama,^[2] told Fox News Digital he was "sick and tired" of the situation.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), which oversees high school athletics, has a policy permitting transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, provided they have informed their school and completed state association paperwork.^[3] Brewer argued that federal funding supports these policies and criticized their impact on students.

Brewer voiced concerns about public schools in Minneapolis, claiming they disrespect students and sexualize children. He also condemned the state for prioritizing transgender protections over resources for underserved Black students, saying, "If they really cared about equality, then they would actually go out and put funds into educating their most underserved people, educating their children of color, but they don’t do that."^[4]

The debate gained attention after a transgender girl from North Woods High School pitched a no-hitter in the June 2023 Minnesota Class A softball state championship game, helping her team win the title. [5] President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to protect women's sports by enforcing Title IX, the 1972 federal law barring sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding.[6]

Brewer praised Trump and attorney general nominee Pam Bondi, stating, "President Trump and Pam Bondi are right to take on this issue, and I applaud their continued leadership in protecting young women and girls — especially athletes — by defending the original intent of Title IX."^[4] The incoming Trump administration has indicated plans to review Title IX compliance in states with transgender-inclusive policies.

The Minnesota Department of Education stated it is committed to ensuring access to education for every child "regardless of background, zip code, or ability."^[4]

Sources

1. Minnesota Vikings. "Jack Brewer Player Profile." Accessed December 2024. https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/jack-brewer/
2. Encyclopedia. "Jack Brewer (American football)." Wikipedia. Accessed December 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Brewer_(American_football)
3. Minnesota State High School League. "Transgender Participation Policy." Accessed December 2024. https://www.mshsl.org/about/policies/transgender-participation-policy
4. Fox News. "Former Vikings captain reacts to DOJ suing Minnesota over girls' sports." December 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports
5. Star Tribune. "Transgender pitcher throws no-hitter to win state softball title." June 10, 2023. https://www.startribune.com
6. U.S. Department of Education. "Title IX and Sex Discrimination." Accessed December 2024. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html