Saquon Barkley retweets Riley Gaines’ viral post questioning Olympic boxer Imane Khelif's gender
Saquon Barkley is just getting started on what he hopes will be a run to the Super Bowl. However, athletes performing in the Olympics are seeing the result of years of work. For some, the last few days have been a dream come true. For others, the last few days have been a nightmare.
Imane Khelif's Round of 16 win over Angela Carini has sparked debate about the participation of transgender women in sports. Fans and football players alike have taken to social media to call out the event due to its controversial choice to allow the fight to take place.
Khelif, who failed the gender eligibility test, which led to her disqualification at the 2023 World Championships, was allowed to face Carini in the ring, a biological woman. Barkley and swimmer Riley Gaines appear united in their stance against the fight, condemning the choice to allow Khelif to participate.
Barkley made this clear when he reposted Gaines' message on Twitter/X on Thursday.
"Men don't belong in women's sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini Let's get it trending," she wrote on X.
Saquon Barkley's teammates chime in on Imane Khelif's outrage-sparking win
The Philadelphia Eagles running back wasn't the only one to speak out about the controversial event.
Saquon Barkley's teammates, Darius Slay and Zech McPhearson, also spoke out on social media. Taking to Twitter/X on Thursday, August 1, the two condemned the boxing final result. Here's what McPhearson had to say:
"I feel bad for her. Confidence crushed. Everything she worked for just taken away. On the biggest stage of her career…smh," he said.
Slay responded to McPhearson's post with one word.
"Crazy."
Currently, it appears the list of Eagles players against the Olympics' decision to allow Khelif to fight is at three. Barkley, Zech McPhearson, and Darius Slay all appear to be against the controversial bout, which saw Angela Carini abandon the match in 46 seconds.
The Eagles play their first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, August 9. Some fans hope to see Barkley get a few snaps in the contest as the team takes their first step towards a Super Bowl-hopeful season.