Riley Gaines has a supporter in star ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
Gaines, a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky, has spoken out vocally against trans women competing in women’s sports after an experience she had last year with former trans Penn swimmer Lia Thomas.
Gaines was giving a speech at San Francisco State University on Thursday, and got physically attacked by a mob of trans activists.
“Stay strong @Riley_Gaines_,” Steele wrote, quote-tweeting a missive from former Fox News host and current SiriusXM personality Megyn Kelly. “you have more people than you know supporting you & standing up to this madness.”
On a second tweet, Steele quote-tweeted a video from the International Women’s Forum that condemned the attack of Gaines on the campus, and called on her colleagues in the media business to support Gaines in wake of the incident.
“Are there any other women with public platforms willing to stand up for @Riley_Gaines_ & the millions of female athletes??” Steele asked incredulously.
“Or do we only stand up for those who fit certain narratives?? LADIES, WHERE ARE YOU? Media…Hollywood…hello?!?! We MUST come together on this!!”
Steele, who last year sued ESPN over allegedly infringing on her free speech rights, might be the only talent at the network who would speak out publicly on the conservative side of this matter.
In the incident, Gaines said she was “ambushed and physically hit” and had to lock herself in a room for three hours to avoid the violent mob.
“Why are you running!” one protester screamed at her.
“Yeah you f—ing transphobic bitch — I f–ing see you!” said another as the former swimmer was running away.
The general issue of trans women competing in women’s sports has been percolating since late 2021, when Thomas, who swam for three years as a male at Penn before transitioning to female, began dominating the competition.
Gaines has been speaking out on the topic since she tied Thomas for fifth in the women’s 200-meter NCAA championships last year — and became frustrated when the NCAA opted to give the trophy to Thomas and not to her.