Former Minnesota Vikings captain Jack Brewer has voiced strong disapproval of Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve’s decision to wear a shirt stating “trans kids belong” during a recent WNBA game. The incident occurred amidst a backdrop of protests outside the Target Center, where activists supporting women’s sports clashed with counter-protesters advocating for transgender rights.
Brewer’s Disappointment with WNBA Coach’s Stance
Brewer, who has deep ties to Minnesota sports, expressed his dismay at Reeve’s public display of support for transgender youth. “The Lynx have a rich history in that state. That team was established the year I got to Minnesota, and I remember watching them. To now see a coach representing that team in this way is sad,” Brewer stated. He conveyed concern that young female athletes attending games might be exposed to messages he believes are inappropriate or harmful.
“It is sad to think that young girls in Minnesota are coming to games and watching teams promote something like that,” Brewer elaborated. “It is ridiculous to think that a grown woman would go so hard in support of men playing against women and entering women’s locker rooms.” He further criticized the affirmation of transgender identities in children, suggesting it is a form of psychiatric endorsement rather than appropriate care. “This coach is promoting the idea that children who should be receiving psychiatric treatment… should instead be affirmed. It is disgusting and sad. These people are sick and need help. We should be praying for them and finding treatment for them. Instead, people like this coach in Minnesota are promoting these types of atrocities. It is a terrible thing.”
Personal Connection to Minnesota and Youth Sports
Brewer emphasized that his criticism stems partly from his personal connection to Minnesota and his role as a father. Having played for the University of Minnesota and later the Vikings, Brewer maintains strong family and community ties to the state. His eight-year-old daughter is an active participant in competitive tennis and soccer, training in Minnesota during the summers.
“As a father and someone whose family is deeply connected to Minnesota sports, I have an eight-year-old daughter who plays highly competitive tennis and competitive soccer. She also plays and trains in Minnesota. We go to Minnesota during the summers. Her cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles are there. My nieces and nephews are there. I went to school in Minnesota, my family lives there, and my cousins coach various sports there. I am involved in sports in that state. It is embarrassing,” Brewer explained. He feels the coach’s actions reflect poorly on the state’s sports culture.
Broader Criticism of WNBA Coaches and League Handling of Issues
Brewer’s comments extend beyond Reeve, touching upon a perceived trend among WNBA coaches regarding discussions on women’s sports. He noted that other coaches, including Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries, Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever, and Alex Sarama of the Portland Fire, had also recently declined to explicitly back the protection of women’s sports during press conferences.
Adding to the controversy, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was reportedly suspended and fined for allegedly confronting young fans who were supporting Sophie Cunningham’s stance on women’s sports. Brewer views these incidents as indicative of a larger issue within the league.
Advice for WNBA Leadership
Brewer offered advice to WNBA coaches and team leadership, urging them to prioritize truth and accountability. “My advice to other coaches, owners and teams is to speak the truth. Every coach who loves God, loves this country and wants to protect women needs to speak out against coaches who are that ignorant,” he asserted. “You should not be able to promote something like that without being held accountable. You should be held accountable for your actions.”
Critique of WNBA’s Treatment of Caitlin Clark
A significant portion of Brewer’s critique focused on the WNBA’s perceived handling of star player Caitlin Clark. He argued that the league has failed to fully support Clark, whom he believes should be the face of the WNBA, drawing parallels to Michael Jordan’s impact on the NBA.
“They cannot stand up for the white girl, even though the white girl sells more jerseys than the other players in the league. They cannot admit that the white girl is worth protecting,” Brewer stated. “Caitlin Clark should be the face of the WNBA. She should be to the WNBA what Michael Jordan was to the NBA. Caitlin Clark is the reason people watch the WNBA.” He suggested Clark’s image should be the league’s logo, citing the significant increase in attendance and viewership during her tenure.
Brewer attributed the league’s reluctance to embrace Clark to a potential conflict with its desired narrative of “victimhood.” “Her image should become the logo of the WNBA because she is the reason the league has become popular. I remember watching the WNBA in its early stages. There was hardly anybody in the crowd, and they had to let people attend for free. Now stadiums are half-full and, in some cases, nearly sold out,” he observed. “It is sad that the league will not fully support its star player because she does not fit the race-and-gender ideology they want to portray through victimhood. She is not a victim, so she does not fit their victimhood mentality. That is why she gets no love from the teams of the WNBA. It is terrible.”
Support for Clark and Cunningham
Brewer concluded by expressing his support for both Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, encouraging the WNBA and its fanbase to rally behind them. He reiterated his belief in Clark’s monumental impact on the league’s popularity.
“Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA cannot be denied. Caitlin Clark is the Jerry West of the WNBA. They need to make her the logo and emblem of the league, whether they want to agree with it or not. She has defined the game. There will be greater players than Caitlin Clark, just as there have been greater players than Jerry West. But Caitlin Clark, like Jerry West, made the sport popular at this particular time and juncture,” Brewer said. “They need to give this girl her flowers while she is doing it.”
He also praised Cunningham for her courage in standing up for her beliefs and supporting Clark. “That is also why Sophie Cunningham is so popular. She is standing up for herself and standing up for Caitlin Clark. I love her for that, and I have her back. I do not care what Black girls, Black men or anyone else has to say. I am a Sophie Cunningham fan. I do not agree with everything about her, and I think she can be too provocative and show her body too much, but I still pray for her. I like that she stands up for herself, and I like that she has Caitlin Clark’s back, because so do I.”
