Sports world reacts to the monumental overturning of Roe v. Wade
After the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, people across the sports world consider the effect on those who can become pregnant.
On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, a decision that federally protected the rights of Americans to have access to abortions.
From January 22, 1973 until now, the Supreme Court determined that the right to an abortion was protected under the Due Process Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment. At the time, the court ruled that access to abortion was “fundamental.”
The overturning means that the right to an abortion is no longer federally protected, and abortion clinics in Southern states like Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas are shuttering immediately.
https://twitter.com/sarahmccammon/status/1540346339313197060?s=20&t=sPyHMBBl5FBSP8cHJiy-OA
13 states have trigger laws that go into effect now — or will go into effect very quickly — that will ban abortion:
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 24, 2022
Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
A 2021 report by the Guttmacher Institute estimates that 26 U.S. States are “certain or likely to ban abortion.”
In response to this, individuals in the world of sports share what the overturning of Roe v. Wade means to them.
The sports world reacts to Roe v. Wade decision on 50th anniversary of Title IX
In a video shared by Yahoo! Sports, NWSL and NWST star Megan Rapinoe says that the overturning of Roe v. Wade “puts women in a terrible position.”
"It just puts women in a terrible position."
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2022
A day after the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Female athletes discuss how the ruling will impact the sports landscape going forward. https://t.co/ShI6q6PCnP pic.twitter.com/IEqqTnupky
Phoenix Mercury power forward Brianna Turner criticized the notion that our nation is still governed by a constitutional document that was drafted by slave owners.
Something doesn’t sit right in my spirit as we speak of what’s constitutional vs what’s not knowing that the constitution was written by a group of slave owners. I know there’s been amendments overtime but our founding document was doomed from the start.
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) June 24, 2022
Turner also noted that states who are rapidly implementing trigger bans should also be passing emergency measures to address maternal healthcare needs, especially amidst a baby formula crisis.
States issuing trigger bans on abortion should probably bring that same energy to addressing subsidized healthcare, daycare, maternity leave, formula shortages, etc.
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) June 24, 2022
Sports journalists like Lyndsey D’Arcangelo and Ashley Nicole Moss can’t help but notice that this happens one day after the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which was passed on June 23, 1972.
Yesterday: The 50th anniversary of Title IX to give girls equal rights in sports. Today: The revocation of 50 years of abortion rights.
— Lindsay Crouse (@lindsaycrouse) June 24, 2022
Take nothing for granted.
we just celebrated Title IX yesterday and less than 24 hours later — this county strips women of the freedom to make choices about their bodies
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) June 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/AronYohannes/status/1540346444162273280?s=20&t=f4pGqCUjQyJ3kg6qJVnwCA
NFL analyst Mina Kimes shared in-depth New York Times reporting to illustrate “what’s at stake” without federal abortion protections in place.
I know it’s a lot to ask anyone to sit down with a longread today, but this piece—sensitively reported and heartbreaking at times—truly gives a sense of what’s at stake. https://t.co/CRgBAxSsVg
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 24, 2022
Former Washington Spirit defender Kaiya McCullough, who is attending Harvard Law School in the fall, remains dedicated to fighting this decision through legal recourse in the future.
see you in the fall law school! lots of work to do
— Kai (@hiyakaiya) June 24, 2022
Soccer journalist Kelly Welles directed Twitter followers to a link that allows people to support women seeking abortions safe ability to access, as well as Robin Marty’s book, “New Handbook for a Post-Roe America.”
DONATE HERE. Also, think about buying a copy of Robin's book Handbook for A Post-Roe America because even if you don't need it, someone you know might. https://t.co/LydseQqg4N
— Kelly Welles (@kelly_welles) June 24, 2022
Cleveland Browns fullback Johnny Stanton described the decision as “horrific.”
Horrific. We knew it was coming and it doesn’t hurt any less.
— Johnny Stanton (@johnnystantoniv) June 24, 2022
Stanton is an avid LGBTQ+ ally, and there are many who are already concerned that the conservative majority Supreme Court will now attempt to strip the constitutionally-protected right for LGBTQ+ individuals to marry.
https://twitter.com/TaraSlone/status/1540352728546811904?s=20&t=f4pGqCUjQyJ3kg6qJVnwCA
And this ain’t over. More to come. https://t.co/eBKMHQ9hZj
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 24, 2022
The gut reaction for many individuals is disdain for the Supreme Court, who struck down a law that was protected by the federal government in the United States for 49 years.
Sick sad little country
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) June 24, 2022
— Meghan Ottolini (@Meghan_Ottolini) June 24, 2022
Liars were rewarded with the power of moral authority. What happened today shouldn't surprise anyone.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) June 24, 2022
A real democracy - and not whatever shit this is - would have perjury indictments ready to go. https://t.co/0zXkm27ONu
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 24, 2022
PHL and NWSL broadcaster Erica L. Alaya wanted to channel any anger and frustration at the ruling into action: “make a plan to get involved in local and state politics.”
https://twitter.com/elindsay08/status/1540361363851206657?s=20&t=f4pGqCUjQyJ3kg6qJVnwCA
Others drew the connection between the fact that despite the past two decades of increased gun violence in mass shootings, the Supreme Court has yet to institute nationwide gun regulations, yet they ruled that Roe v. Wade was “egregiously wrong.”
So to be clear, the Supreme Court believes states don’t have the right to govern gun laws but they DO have the right to govern a woman’s body. MAKES SENSE!!!
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) June 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/_LEVELdesigns/status/1540355298434682881?s=20&t=f4pGqCUjQyJ3kg6qJVnwCA
FOX Sports journalist Charlotte Wilder called on men in the sports world to speak up when “rights are stripped away.”
It matters that men speak up in the sports world. Go to a protest. Donate to abortion funds. If it doesn’t effect you this time that doesn’t mean the next thing they come for won’t — there is no such thing as a “stick to sports” situation when rights are stripped away
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) June 24, 2022
This is a small sample of what those in the sports world have to say on the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as this is a decision that will ultimately affect all those who can become pregnant in the United States for the foreseeable future.