"That was the hardest part" - SJSU volleyball player Brooke Slusser opens up on harsh reality of standing up for women amid Blaire Fleming controversy

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Oct 08, 2024 04:46 GMT

Brooke Slusser, who represents the San Jose State Spartans in college volleyball, has been facing a vicious hate campaign after she stood up against her teammate Blaire Fleming, who is reportedly a transgender. Ever since she decided to stand up for the rights of female players, Slusser has been receiving hateful message, and even death threats.

In a recent interview to the portal Outkick, Slusser opened up on the consequences she had to face for thinking what was right. She mentioned:

"It’s one thing for me to take a stand for something I truly believe in. However, the last thing I’d ever want is for this to affect my teammates. That was the hardest part."

Slusser also mentioned how the forfeits by several institutions were only making things tougher for the San Jose State University.

"Every time we’ve heard a team backs out, it hurts. We’re practicing 20 hours a week to play games. We’re practicing, but for what? That’s the hardest part about it. …… I’m only going to speak for myself. If I was on the other team’s side ... I applaud them for what they’re doing," she further added.

Brooke Slusser decided to play for the San Jose State Spartans, despite the multiple threats against her. The Spartans were playing their first college volleyball match since September 24, after several colleges led by Boise State University had forfeited their matches against the San Jose State University. The San Jose State Spartans eventually lost to the Colorado State University Rams in straight sets by 18-25, 20-25, and 20-25.

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Brooke Slusser on the death threats she received

Brooke Slusser opens up on the death threats she received [Image for Representational Purposes] [Image Source : Brooke Slusser's Instagram]

After the multiple death threats received by Brooke Slusser and her teammates, the match between the San Jose State Spartans and the Colorado State University Rams was conducted at the Moby Arena in tight police security. Slusser was subjected to hatred for merely standing up for the cause of female players.

However, Slusser is unfazed by the death threats. Initially surprised by the threats, she decided to stay alert and focus on the volleyball matches ahead of her. In the interview to Outkick, she mentioned,

"At the end of the day, this is something I will stand for. I know my team needs me. You can say whatever you want to say, but there’s only one right answer here that does nothing with politics: men don’t deserve to be in women’s sports. … When you believe in something so truly … that’s not going to stop me from playing volleyball."

The 21-year-old volleyball player also mentioned that she was less concerned about her safety, and more about her teammates.

"One of my teammates received a DM basically telling her that she needed to keep her distance from me during the Colorado State game because it wouldn’t be a good situation.That just does not feel right," she further added.

Brooke Slusser recently supported the lawsuit against NCAA, which called for the exclusion of transgender players from women's sports. The lawsuit was filed by former swimmer and social activist Riley Gaines, alongside 15 other athletes in early 2024.