Indiana Fever Guard Sophie Cunningham Defies Mob Despite Harassment

Sophie Cunningham gets something most of the sports world misses. You never, ever cave to the mob if you haven't done anything wrong. The Indiana Fever guard proved that point this summer after she spoke out against biological males competing in women's sports. Her stance came at a steep cost. She earned the nickname "MAGA Barbie." Fans booed her as she walked onto the court in Seattle and other cities. One reporter called her "unafraid to be blatantly transphobic," while others demanded her suspension. Did Cunningham give in? Hell no. She doubled down with an Instagram post declaring she isn't backing down for anyone.

"I said what I said," she wrote. "This is the only way to do it. If there's one thing the mob hates more than anything, it's courage. You show it to them, they go away. It's just sad that so few seem to possess it."

Then came Chris Simms. The NBC Sports football analyst bowed to online outrage over some perfectly reasonable comments. After Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was knocked out of Saturday's game due to a helmet-to-helmet hit by USC's Desman Stephens II, Simms did what an analyst is paid to do: analyze. At halftime, he said Moore's injury was a "Debbie Downer" moment because fans want to see teams at full strength. He shared advice his father gave him about getting down in time and avoiding big hits. He added that Moore's late slide put Stephens in a "no-win situation."

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This is an ex-football player talking football. But apparently all Oregon fans wanted to hear was that this was the dirtiest hit in the history of the sport. So Sunday, Simms took to social media and wrote "I clearly did not show enough sympathy for the situation. I mishandled the situation and I was wrong. I'm sorry for that."

We see a new version of this every week. Earlier this month, Texas quarterback Arch Manning laughed at an AI meme of ESPN reporter Holly Rowe getting slapped by Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. He was shamed into apologizing two days later. In July, Sandy Brondello, coach of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo, wanted a foul called on Atlanta's Angel Reese and could be heard telling refs that Reese was a "protected species." This is common lingo in Australia, Brondello's home country, where it means expressing frustration over a player getting special treatment. But Brondello still issued a written apology to Reese, saying "I used a phrase that I shouldn't have used, and I take full responsibility for that."

And then there was Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caving last year after doing the Trump dance following a touchdown against the Commanders. Said St. Brown: "First of all, if I offended anyone, I do apologize. I did not mean to offend anyone. It was just, we're having fun."

It is hard watching these athletes shed their dignity with each mea culpa. What they don't understand is that they lose respect from the public every time they issue one. The outrage mob simply sees them as people who will fold the next time it wants to sink its hooks into them. And the folks who would have supported them if they stood strong? They now see a spineless pushover.

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This does not mean people should never apologize. During his time in Seattle, Richard Sherman was infamous for his inability to ever take accountability for his wrongdoing. That is also a form of weakness, just wearing a different costume. But surrendering when you have done nothing wrong? It's not noble, it's nauseating.

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People like Cunningham know this.

Charles Barkley holds the same line. The Hall of Fame basketball legend has publicly stated that trans athletes do not belong in women's sports. The backlash against his comments remains almost nonexistent because everyone expects him to stay firm on his position. That shows the power of integrity. Click here to download the Fox News app for more updates.

The vocal minority should not wield such influence, yet it regularly turns titans of the sports world into mush. Do not be like Chris Simms, who gave in to the mob. Be like Cunningham, who decided to stand up to the pressure. Sophie's choice is the only choice available here.