‘We’re doing a disservice to an entire generation’: How Chicago athletes and teams reacted to Roe being overturned

On Thursday, the sports world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or educational program that receives funding from the government.

Fans, athletes, politicians and celebrities took part in celebrating the last 50 years of empowered female athletes. Title IX gave girls and women an opportunity to participate in sports that had long been available to men, though it did not necessarily level the playing field. The day was filled with remembrances of influential women in sports and promises for the future.

Then on Friday, the Supreme Court stifled that joy when it overturned Roe v. Wade. The timing was likely coincidental but impactful nonetheless. The right for women to make decisions for their own bodies, as they see fit, was taken away.

Abortion is a matter of both personal choice and healthcare, and for athletes, regardless of gender, Roe being struck down will have an impact on where they choose to play and live and the type of healthcare they are able to receive.

In Illinois, where a law remains in place to keep abortion legal, Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised the state would remain a “safe haven” for women’s reproductive rights.

Two-time WNBA MVP and Chicago-area native Candace Parker expressed her dismay, telling WGN-TV: “I have a 13-year-old daughter. For me personally, for us in this generation to mess this up for her and the decisions that she can make and the ownership of her own body — I feel like we’re doing a disservice to an entire generation.

“I get emotional because I feel like as women in this country every time we take two or three steps forward — is it by chance that it was close to Title IX and the 50th anniversary? I feel like we have a way in this country of handling things in that way. I’m just disappointed.”

Her Chicago Sky teammate Courtney Vandersloot added: “To me, it’s just heartbreaking that we’re in 2022 and women are still fighting for their right for their own bodies. I don’t agree with it. For people that are standing up and being the voice — I think it’s really important. The fight’s not over. People need voices and I think the WNBA and the Chicago Sky is a great platform.”

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, in an appearance on WSCR-670 AM’s “Parkins & Spiegel Show,” voiced his displeasure with the decision.

“Obviously, today is a terrible, terrible day for women’s rights,” Hendriks said. “I mean, what’s next? Are they going to take voting for women as well now? It’s just something that is absurd in the fact that they thought that this is their thing.

“If this had anything to do with men, there’d be no chance that this would be overturned. And that’s something that’s disgraceful in this day and age.”

Hendriks also served as the “voice” of Pride Night for the Sox on Thursday.

“The fact is the hate I get for being an ally is very limited compared to what some other people may be getting if they’re in the spotlight or in the limelight going through this ordeal of going out and being true to themselves,” he said.

Other Chicago athletes took to social media to voice their displeasure with the ruling or express solidarity with those affected by it.

“The strength of our women is unmatched. We must protect them at all costs,” Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted. “Unimaginable to see their rights taken away. Men should never be allowed to make laws about women’s bodies. Those of you who disagree need to realize you’re a direct part of the problem. Change is needed!”

Stroman also retweeted Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price and former NBA coach Stan van Gundy.

Several athletes, including the Cubs’ Adbert Alzolay and the Bears’ Jaquan Brisker and Thomas Graham Jr., opted to retweet posts.

The Chicago Sky shared a statement that read: “The Chicago Sky stand for all women and their rights to have autonomy over their own bodies and decide their own futures. We will be a voice for all those impacted by today’s Supreme Court decision and continue to fight for women’s freedom, health equity, and social justice.”

The commissioners of the NBA and WNBA released a joint statement: “The NBA and WNBA believe that women should be able to make their own decisions concerning their health and future, and we believe that freedom should be protected. We will continue to advocate for gender and health equity, including ensuring our employees have access to reproductive health care, regardless of their location.”