Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher has praised WNBA player Sophie Cunningham for speaking out against transgender athletes competing in girls' and women's sports, telling Fox News Digital that she was simply saying "what's true". Urlacher, a former Chicago Bears linebacker not typically known for following women's basketball, said he has become a fan of Cunningham's aggressive playing style and follows her on social media, adding weight to his comments on the wider debate given his profile as an NFL legend commenting outside his usual sport.

Cunningham, who plays for the Indiana Fever, has previously drawn attention for publicly voicing opposition to transgender inclusion in female sporting categories, a topic that remains contentious across US sport. Urlacher's remarks came during a recent interview in which he praised Cunningham's on-court ability as "unbelievable" before turning to commend her stance on the issue, framing his support as both a basketball fan and as someone backing her willingness to speak candidly on a divisive subject.