By OLIVER SALT
Published: 08:35 EDT, 9 June 2025 | Updated: 08:37 EDT, 9 June 2025
Simone Biles' stance on transgender athletes in women's sports puts biological females in 'dangerous and compromising situations', says former NFL kicker-turned politician Jay Feely.
Feely, who is set to run for Congress in Arizona, has weighed in on the shock trans feud that broke out between Biles and conservative political activist Riley Gaines over the weekend.
The Olympic legend sparked controversy on Friday night by attacking Gaines over her protests against trans athletes competing in women's sports, writing on X: 'bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_'.
She then added: '@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!'
Gaines, a former college swimmer who was forced to compete against trans athlete Lia Thomas in 2022, has since fired back at Biles, even unearthing an old post from the American gymnast in 2017 where she appeared to criticize the idea of biological males in women's sports.
Simone Biles
Riley Gaines
Ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely says Biles' stance puts biological females in 'dangerous' situations
Men don’t belong in women’s sports! @Simone_Biles argument is the antithesis of title 9 and equal opportunity it’s provided for women. It puts girls in dangerous, compromising situations so a man pretending to be a woman can feel better about themselves. @Riley_Gaines_ worked… https://t.co/4Lo7es0z0s
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) June 7, 2025
A number of high-profile figures have given their take on the dispute, including Feely - who claims Biles would not have won any Olympic medals if she had to compete against trans gymnasts.
'Men don't belong in women's sports! @Simone_Biles argument is the antithesis of title 9 and equal opportunity it’s provided for women. It puts girls in dangerous, compromising situations so a man pretending to be a woman can feel better about themselves,' the ex-football star said on X.
'@Riley_Gaines_ worked her whole life, earned a NCAA championship, and had it taken away by a man who wouldn’t have even placed if he competed with the other men.
'Simone doesn’t win any medal if she competes against men. Serena Williams doesn’t win any tournaments if she competes against men. They are the best ever to do it. Why should we compromise with our high school and college girls and take away their opportunities.'
Like Feely, former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has also sided with Gaines amid her spat with Biles over trans athletes in women's sports.
Patrick said the gymnast had been 'red pilled' in reference to being fed the wrong information.
'This issue has a shelf life. I truly believe common sense will prevail. But until then, I am grateful for people like Riley Gaines who are making sure no one gets away with it,' she said on Instagram.
'Not to mention the fact that she actually lived it. Defending men in women's sports is the woke mind virus and/or another issue that requires therapy. Either way, it is so irrational.'
Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, tore into Gaines on social media for her trans stance
Gaines responded by unearthing an old post where the Olympics legend argued differently
Biles has yet to make any additional comments since her shock outburst towards Gaines on Friday night.
The latter has forged a career as a political commentator for OutKick and Fox following her time as a swimmer. Her campaigning has won praise from Donald Trump, who welcomed her to the White House before signing the 'Keeping Men out of Women's Sports' executive order in February.
On Friday, Gaines initially retweeted a picture of Minnesota team Champlin Park celebrating the state high school title that they won with transgender pitcher Marissa Rothenberger on the team.
'Comments off lol,' she wrote in response to the post. 'To be expected when your star player is a boy.'
That sparked the blistering response from Biles where she first slammed Gaines' view before comparing her appearance to a man.