Samantha Ponder described watching her daughter “get posted up by a boy” during a middle school basketball game as “maddening.” The former ESPN host, known for her outspoken views on transgender athletes, expanded on the issue Sunday in a series of tweets.
Ponder revealed that her daughter’s team lost the game after playing against “obviously a naturally born boy.” She wrote, “It’s happened many times now living in NYC. Yet another basketball game today where my middle school daughter is guarding an obviously naturally born boy in a girls tournament.”
She added, “The parents cheer while the boy is physical and dominant against the girls. The all girls team loses.”
Despite the frustration, Ponder said, “We’ve taught our kids to never make fun of the kid, to always be kind and loving. That the parents are the problem. That no kid is born in the wrong body. But if I’m honest, watching my daughter get posted up by a boy whose parents have deceived him in this way is maddening.”
Addressing critics who suggested relocating, Ponder stated, “To everyone saying ‘just move!’ I understand the sentiment but IMHO [in my humble opinion] NYC is the greatest American city that has lost its way. I want to fight for truth and love. I don’t want to give in to insanity and darkness. This is still America.”
Samantha Ponder and her husband, former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, are parents to their son Robinson True, 8, and daughters Bowden “Scout” Sainte-Claire, 11, and Price, 7.
When questioned on social media about proof of her claims, Ponder responded, “I don’t need you to believe me. I’m living it. As a wise friend once told me ‘a tall man feels no need to prove his height.’”
She also addressed accusations that she was “trying to keep [her] grift alive” by sharing her experience. Ponder asked, “What’s the grift? What is my motivation? I can promise you I am not being paid for this honesty but I have lost millions for it.”
Last summer, Ponder and Robert Griffin III were let go by ESPN as the network restructured its NFL coverage.
Ponder previously stirred controversy on social media when commenting on female boxer Imane Khelif, who won Olympic gold at the Paris Games. She tweeted, “ENOUGH is what all of us should be saying!! Proud of this woman,” quoting a post about Italian boxer Angela Carini, who withdrew from her opening-round bout against Khelif.
Additionally, Ponder expressed support for former President Trump following the assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last July.
Samantha Ponder first joined ESPN in 2011, predominantly working in college football. She contributed to and hosted “College GameDay” from 2012 to 2016, later serving as an in-game sideline reporter in 2016.
In 2017, she was promoted to host “Sunday NFL Countdown,” a signature program airing Sunday mornings before 1 p.m. ET kickoffs. The show features an analyst desk including Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Alex Smith, and Rex Ryan.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/21/sports/sam-ponder-fumes-over-daughter-playing-basketball-against-obviously-naturally-born-boy-in-fiery-rant/
