NFL star Aaron Rodgers made headlines Wednesday by taking a firm stance against allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Rodgers didn’t hold back.
“The trans woman movement is actually anti-woman,” Rodgers said. He clarified he was referring specifically to sports. “You're not seeing trans men dominating anything. It's because there's a biological difference.”
Rodgers, now an unsigned free agent after leaving the New York Jets, has gained attention for his conservative takes over the past few years. His podcast appearances often spark controversy, and this one was no exception.
He now joins former teammates Brett Favre and Donald Driver in speaking out against transgender athletes in women’s sports. Favre has been vocal about the issue since 2021, and now Rodgers is stepping into the debate too.
The timing is significant. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order allowing only biological females to compete in women’s and girls' sports. But some Democrat-led states are defying the order, setting off legal battles.
The Department of Justice is suing states like Maine and Minnesota, and the Department of Education is investigating possible Title IX violations in several high school sports leagues.
Public opinion also seems to back restrictions. A New York Times/Ipsos poll in January found 79% of Americans oppose letting biological males compete in women’s sports. Even among Democrats, 67% agreed.
Rodgers’ comments are likely to reignite the national conversation — and put more pressure on athletes, institutions, and lawmakers to clarify their positions.