JACKSON THOMPSON: Father of Michigan volleyball player blasts El-Sayed for ’60 Minutes’ girls’ sports remark

The father of a Michigan high-school volleyball player has criticised Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed for describing disputes over transgender athletes in girls’ sports as “manufactured”. Sean Lechner says his daughter’s experience shows the issue is real and ongoing, while El-Sayed argues such cultural disputes can distract from economic concerns and says sports governing bodies should decide eligibility.

Briley and Sean Lechner filed a federal lawsuit on 9 October against Monroe Public Schools, the Michigan High School Athletic Association and district officials. The suit alleges they were not told before a 9 September 2025 match that the opposing team included a transgender athlete, or that the athlete could use the girls’ changing facilities; the district found the family’s Title IX allegations unsubstantiated. El-Sayed is facing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate election, and his campaign was contacted for comment.