Elizabeth Eddy Stands Firm on Gender Standards in NWSL
Elizabeth Eddy, a veteran player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), shared on Wednesday that she continues to receive wedding invitations even after facing backlash from teammates for her recent op-ed advocating for gender standards in the league.
In the op-ed, Eddy emphasized the need for the NWSL to implement clear gender policies, mentioning that one possibility could be requiring athletes to be born with ovaries, akin to the standards employed by the FA. She also suggested the use of SRY genetic testing, similar to practices in World Athletics and World Boxing.
Among her teammates, Sarah Gorden expressed concern that Eddy’s comments might be interpreted as transphobic or racist. Angelina Anderson stated that their locker room should be an inclusive space, regardless of differing opinions.
On “Fox & Friends,” Eddy addressed the criticism, saying, “It’s okay for reasonable people to disagree on this topic, but bullying or name-calling doesn’t set a good example.” She noted that while she has a long-standing friendship with her teammates, which includes them being invited to her wedding, she still believes in the importance of open dialogue.
She continued, “At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. It’s crucial that we find common ground and collaborate.”
Eddy acknowledged the challenges of discussing the implications of allowing men to compete in women’s sports, stating, “It’s hard to speak up as a pro athlete. We’ve trained our whole lives for this, and sometimes speaking out feels risky.”
She feels many of her teammates likely share her perspective but are hesitant to voice their thoughts due to fear of backlash. Eddy noted that since the publication of her piece, she has received encouraging support from players across the league.
“This is really an 80-20 issue,” Eddy stated. “Most people genuinely want women’s sports to be for women. Yet, many haven’t felt comfortable expressing this. It’s a complex situation, but players need to unite and make decisions together.”
She concluded her remarks by highlighting that while many players reach out to express their agreement privately, they often fear the repercussions of public support. Nonetheless, she believes that support for her stance has been strong outside the league.
