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Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins joined the ongoing discussion this week about the use of torpedo bats that has taken the big leagues by storm after the New York Yankees’ strong outing over opening weekend.During an appearance on OutKick’s “The Ricky Cobb Show,” Jenkins, 82, discussed how torpedo bats have become the latest innovation in the sport and could favor hitters. “Well, when you look back at the game when I played in the ‘60s, ’70s, ’80s, the pitcher was pretty much dominant, and now we are like second-class citizens. Everything has been done for the hitter. Like, you say the clock, the bases are bigger, you have an over glove which gives you an extra 3–7 inches sliding into the bag ahead of the throw,” Jenkins said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins waves after being introduced during the 2016 MLB Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center July 24, 2016.  (Gregory J. Fisher/USA Today Sports)In addition to the rule changes that favor hitters, Jenkins said the torpedo bats are just the latest thing in baseball that will help them.”There is more of a hitting surface for the hitter, and I think it might increase the batting average a little bit, but you will get a better piece of wood on the ball and the ball will maybe travel a little further,” he said. “Who knows? A couple of extra base hits, and now one hitter sees one of his teammates use it. Now, he wants to use it. I can believe before the All-Star break every ball club is going to have a half-dozen hitters using that torpedo bat.”TORPEDO BATS HAVE TAKEN MLB BY STORM; WHAT ARE THEY? Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds at the Field of Dreams baseball field in Dyersville, Iowa, Aug. 11, 2022. (Imagn)While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location. The goal of shifting the barrel is to move the thickest part of the bat to where the player makes the most contact.Jenkins said players who use the torpedo bat could see an increase in their numbers. “I think the batting average, you might see maybe an extra 20 points on each player’s batting average. Instead of them hitting .255, .260, it might be .280,” Jenkins said.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fergie Jenkins catches the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the 2023 World Series at Globe Life Field Oct. 28, 2023, between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)While the bat has taken baseball by storm this season, New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton used a torpedo, including in the postseason, when he mashed seven home runs in 14 games. Jenkins, who pitched from 1965-1983, did not have to deal with any of the new rules in his days. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies in his 19-year career.Jenkins won the 1971 NL Cy Young with the Cubs and was named an All-Star three times. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

There hasn’t been much madness this March.In a tournament normally filled with upsets and Cinderellas, the bracket has gone chalk in many cases.For just the second time since 2007, and the sixth time ever, no 13, 14, 15 or 16 seed posted an upset. And for the second time in tournament history, the Final Four features all No. 1 seeds.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Match Madness logo during a First Four practice at UD Arena. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)Due to the lack of upsets, Johnny Avello, an oddsmaker at DraftKings, said the bettor has done will this year due to a popular trend.”There were a lot of moneyline parlays. So the bettors have had a very good run,” Avello said.Another trend in recent years has been betting on every upset in the first round. Despite a low win-loss record, the return on investment would be high, thanks to teams like UMBC, Fairleigh Dickinson and St. Peter’s.But that trend did not pan out this year. The lowest seed to win a game was a No. 12 seed, and the spread favored 12th-seeded Colorado State against No. 5 Memphis. The DraftKings logo displayed on a phone in Krakow, Poland, Sept. 21, 2021. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)2025 MARCH MADNESS ODDS: BEST BETS FOR FLORIDA-AUBURN, HOUSTON-DUKE”The favorites won 12 out of the 16 games straight up on Thursday and went 9-7 against the number. They were 13-3 on Friday straight up and 10-6 against the number. We did not see the trend that usually happens,” said Avello.Duke is now even money to win the title, and bettors have jumped all in on the Blue Devils, Avello added.”They’ve been the team that’s been bet all year long,” he said, adding Duke would be, at minimum, a 4.5-point favorite no matter who it might face in the final. Duke is -5.5 against Houston. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg cuts the net after winning the 2025 ACC championship game against the Louisville Cardinals at Spectrum Center. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDuke will take on Houston after the Florida-Auburn matchup Saturday. The first game tips off at 6:09 p.m. ET in San Antonio.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Indiana Fever made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016 in large part because of superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. This offseason, a new head coach and the addition of several key players have increased the odds of success in Indiana. Sophie Cunningham, one of those additions, believes the Fever are prime for a run at the WNBA championship. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles past Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Phoenix.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)The 28-year-old guard was acquired by the Fever from the Phoenix Suns in February as part of a four-team trade that included the additions of Jaelyn Brown from the Dallas Wings and the No. 19 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM”I’m excited. I think this is a new era for myself,” Cunningham told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “I got to learn a lot, learn how to become a pro. And now I get to go to Indiana to play with some of the best players around the world right now.” On the list is new teammate Caitlin Clark, who took her pro career by storm. “We’ve talked quite a bit in the past couple of months since I’ve gotten traded and she’s just a good human,” Cunningham said of Clark. “I think she has humor to her, she has wit to her. Everyone that I’ve talked to said that she’s a great teammate. She just wants to win, right?” Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court against Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) on Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)CAITLIN CLARK BEING ‘WHITE GIRL FROM THE MIDDLE OF AMERICA’ HELPED CONNECT WITH YOUNG FANS, ESPN PUNDIT SAYSCunningham told Fox News Digital that she believes Indiana’s “style of play” is something she thrives in. She said she believes that if the chemistry on the court is there, this team stands a good chance at winning a championship. “I’m just excited for [Clark’s] competitiveness. I’m excited for everything she brings to the table. But again, I’m excited for everyone, right? You have Kelsey Mitchell, who’s been a vet, too, who has been there for years, who is a heck of a player as well. And so for me, just to kind of be a part of something for the first time – a new team for the first time in six years – I just think it’s a fresh wind. It’s what I needed. It’s re-motivated, it’s refocused my energy. And again, like at the end of the day, I just want to win. I want championships and I think this is the right team for it.” Cunningham, 28, was drafted by Phoenix in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft and has become one of the league’s most popular players. She’s appeared in 182 games, averaging 7.7 points per game, 2.7 total rebounds and 1.4 assists. INDIANA FEVER GUARD SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DISHES ON WHY SHE’S NOT MARRIED YETHer best season was in 2022, when she averaged 12.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists.  Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts to an out of bounds call during the game against the New York Liberty at Footprint Center on August 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Liberty defeated the Mercury 84-70.  (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)CUNNINGHAM TAKES ON MARCH MADNESSCunningham spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of her partnership with Quest Nutrition during the women’s NCAA Tournament. The former University of Missouri star, who made second round appearances in each of her four seasons with the Tigers, praised the newfound attention the women’s tournament has received over the years. “It’s huge. And I think, you know, the talent and the feistiness, the competitiveness has always been there. Now it’s just on TV where people are able to witness it and fall in love with our game and fall in love with the players,” she said.  “I was a part of the NCAA tournament for four years. Now I get to be a fan behind a bar supporting it with Quest.”CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPOver the weekend, Cunningham hosted a watch party with fans in New York on behalf of Quest Nutrition. “I really am excited. I just think their products are getting bigger, they’re getting better – still high protein, low sugar – and so as an elite level athlete that’s exactly what you want,” she said of her partnership. “You still want to eat healthy but you also, for me, I have a sweet tooth and so why would I not want to indulge a little bit on a tasty treat because that’s something that will always kind of stick with me so I’d much rather eat something that’s good for me than you know something bad.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Wayne Gretzky began to follow Alex Ovechkin on Friday night amid his trek to surpassing The Great One as the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer – the trip was almost done in one day.Needing three goals to surpass Gretzky, Ovechkin scored twice to tie, and tried his darnedest to get a hat trick.Nonetheless, Gretzky had been the solo leader for over 31 years. But now he has company, and soon enough, he will be looking up for the first time in a while.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM FILE: Canadian retired professional hockey player Wayne Gretzky arrives for the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images)But Gretzky is more than at peace with his record being tied, and soon going down.”That’s OK… That’s what the game’s all about,” Gretzky said to the Monumental Sports Network shortly after Ovechkin tied him.”Alex has been great for the game, great for Washington, great for his home country. It’s wonderful. I’m very proud of him, I’m proud of what I accomplished, and that’s what makes our game so wonderful, is the great athletes we have, and more importantly, the good people that they are.” Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena.  (Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images)ALEX OVECHKIN ODDS: WHEN WILL HE BREAK WAYNE GRETZKY’S SCORING RECORD?Gretzky became the NHL’s all-time goalscorer back on March 23, 1994, when he surpassed Gordie Howe with his 802nd career goal. He scored 92 more before hanging up the cleats in 1999 to bring his total to 894.Ovechkin lit the lamp just four minutes into the game against the Chicago Blackhawks to inch as close as he could. Then, just over five minutes into the third period, the Capitals went on a power play, and Ovechkin took advantage, taking a pass and squeaking it past goalie Spencer Knight. Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at Capital One Arena. The goal was the 894th of his career, tying Wayne Gretzky for most all-time goals scored in the NHL.  (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPOvechkin’s next chance at the record will be on Sunday in New York against the Islanders, with the puck set to drop at 12:30 p.m. ET.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Wayne Gretzky finally has company. Gretzky became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer March 23, 1994, when he surpassed Gordie Howe with his 802nd career goal.Now, 31 years later, another player has joined Gretzky. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals tied Gretzky’s record Friday night.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena.  (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)Ovechkin entered the game needing two to tie and three to become the new goal-scoring king. He lit the lamp just four minutes into the game against the Chicago Blackhawks.Just over five minutes into the third period, the Capitals went on a power play, and Ovechkin took advantage, taking a pass and squeaking it past goalie Spencer Knight.Capitals players stormed the ice as Ovechkin got a loud, long ovation.Gretzky was in attendance for the game, which still had over 13 minutes left at the time of publication.Ovechkin was drafted with the first overall pick by Washington in 2004, but because of a lockout, his debut was postponed a year.In his 20th NHL season, the record-tying goal was Ovechkin’s 41st of the year, which ranks third in the NHL behind only Leon Draisaitl and William Nylander.  Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals warms up before a game at Capital One Arena April 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)ALEX OVECHKIN ODDS: WHEN WILL HE BREAK WAYNE GRETZKY’S SCORING RECORD?This is the 14th season in which Ovechkin has scored 40 goals in his career. Had the league not had a lockout in 2012-13, he’d probably have 15 of those seasons. Although, he did lead the league that year with 32 goals. He’s led the NHL in goals nine times.What’s even more impressive is Ovechkin missed nearly two months of this season with a broken leg.Ovechkin looked to be slowing down a bit last season, scoring 31 goals in 79 games. Perhaps he got some juice, knowing he could break the record this season.While Ovechkin is breaking records, the Capitals are Stanley Cup contenders. Their 105 points rank second in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena April 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The goal was Ovechkin’s 893rd career NHL goal. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPEven if you take away all 894 of Gretzky’s goals, he still has the most points in NHL history.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Mookie Betts won his second World Series in October, but this weekend will mark his first time commemorating a World Series victory with President Donald Trump.Betts won a title with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, the same year he was named American League MVP.However, he opted to skip the team’s celebration at the White House in 2019. That will not be the case this year.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts celebrates after winning the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.  (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)”This is not about me; I don’t want anything to be about me. This is about the Dodgers. Because these boys were there for me,” Betts said, via the L.A. Times.Betts said he regretted not making the trip in 2019, which manager Alex Cora and pitcher David Price also skipped, saying he felt he was a distraction.”No matter what I say or what I do, people are gonna take it as political. But that’s definitely not what it is. This is about what the Dodgers were able to accomplish last year,” he said.Cora recently admitted he skipped out on meeting Trump because he wanted to prioritize his home country of Puerto Rico. When the Red Sox visited the White House in May 2019, Puerto Rico was still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Maria in 2017, and Cora wasn’t satisfied with the federal government’s response.  Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting an RBI double in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS against the New York Mets at Citi Field Oct. 17, 2024, in New York, N.Y.  (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)YANKEES ANNOUNCER CHIDES TEAM’S FANS FOR VULGAR JUAN SOTO CHANT AFTER HE LEFT FOR METSOther Dodgers had been asked about their status for the trip, but Betts’ decision was understandably top of mind.”It is what it is. It comes with the territory, being Black in America in a situation like this. It’s a tough spot to be in,” he said. “No matter what I choose, somebody is gonna be pissed. Somebody is gonna have their own opinion. But, again, this is not about me. This is not about politics. This is about the Dodgers. It’s about my loyalty to these boys, this clubhouse. And that’s all it is for me.”The Dodgers defeated Trump’s hometown New York Yankees in five games last year. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left; Shohei Ohtani, center; and Mookie Betts pose with their rings during a World Series ring ceremony before a game against the Detroit Tigers March 28, 2025, in Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Philadelphia Eagles will visit the White House later this month, and the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers visited earlier this year.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

New York Yankees fans were in unfamiliar territory when a superstar chose the crosstown rival Mets over their favorite team.Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million deal, the most lucrative in sports history, with the Mets this offseason after helping the Yankees to the World Series in his lone season with the club last year.While some Yankees fans have favored Soto’s departure because it allowed the team to bring on more players with the money it saved, plenty of fans are still upset about it.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Yankees fans during the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers.  (Imagn)During the Yankees’ game Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, fans randomly began chanting, “F— Juan Soto.”The Mets have long been called the Yankees’ little brother, but Michael Kay, the Yanks’ play-by-play announcer, said the roles were reversed with those chants.”We hear this silly banter back and forth about big brother, little brother. You know what that was yesterday, everybody? I hate to say it, and you’re not gonna like it. That was little brother nonsense,” Kay said on his radio show Friday afternoon, which is broadcast on the Mets’ flagship radio station.”Why are you chanting about Juan Soto? Your team is winning. And that’s what you’re coming up with? You kind of should be a little bit embarrassed. New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on an RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Citi Field.  (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)”Shame on all of you. Really, shame on all of you. It’s such an awful tiny look. … You are still big brother. The Mets haven’t won anything. They won a bidding war for Juan Soto. They haven’t won a championship since 1986,” Kay added. “It’s been 39 years since they won a title, and you’re chanting ‘bleep Juan Soto?’ I don’t get it. “Color me confused. I don’t get it, and it’s a bad look. It’s a bad, bad look. … I think it’s an awful, awful look by all of you. All of you! And I would have addressed it yesterday if I actually heard it through my headphones.”Soto made his home debut with the Mets Friday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI double. It’s been a bit of a slower start for the outfielder, who’s hitting .240 in his first seven games.It’s not uncommon for Yankees fans to also chant similarly against Jose Altuve, who has been public enemy No. 1 since the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in 2017. New York Yankees broadcasters Michael Kay before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium April 20, 2024, in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAltuve beat Aaron Judge, then a rookie, for the AL MVP, while the Astros beat the Yankees in the ALCS in seven games that year. Two years later, Altuve hit a walk-off homer against the Yanks to again win the pennant, but his hesitance to have his shirt taken off has led to unproven speculation he was wearing some sort of device during the at-bat.Soto will return to the Bronx for a game between the Mets and Yankees May 16.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A transgender athlete took home first place in a varsity high jump competition at an Oregon high school meet Wednesday, roughly two years after finishing last while competing against junior varsity boys, according to a report. Lia Rose, who reportedly used to compete as Zachary, won the high jump at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays with a height of 4 feet, 8 inches, beating the second-place finisher by two inches.According to athletic.net, while competing against JV boys May 3, 2023, Zachary Rose finished 11th out of 11 competitors with a jump of 4 feet, 6 inches.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Hurdle on a track  (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)The winning height in that meet was another foot higher.According to online records, Zachary Rose competed in the boys category in 2023. The following year, Lia Rose also competed in the same category. But this year, Lia Rose was listed as competing in the girls category.In 2024, Lia mostly competed against JV boys, with a top finish of second place and a personal record of 5 feet even.Zachary competed as a sophomore in track with a top finish of second in a JV 3,000-meter race, but there were only two competitors. Zachary lost by over a minute. Starting blocks and a baton at the 120th Penn Relays at Franklin Field.  (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)Lia’s 4-foot, 8-inch mark from Wednesday is listed as a “personal record.”A spokesperson from Portland Public Schools was unable to confirm or deny that Lia and Zachary are the same person, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act “to protect student privacy.”Lia’s victory comes roughly two weeks after Ada Gallagher, a trans track athlete in the Portland area, blew out the competition. Hurdles at a track and field event.  (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPGallagher, a state champion last year, finished at 57.62 in the 400 meters, with Franklin High School’s Kinnaly Souphanthong coming in second at 1:05.72. Gallagher’s teammate, Quinnan Schaefer, was behind Souphanthong at 1:07.13. In the 200-meter race, Gallagher finished in first place at 25.76, followed by teammate Addyson Skyles at 27.31.Both times for Gallagher were season bests.Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

After Ja Morant twice flashed gun gestures during games, the NBA came down hard on him.The Memphis Grizzlies star was fined $75,000 for “twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court.”The NBA confirmed reports it had warned Morant the gesture “could be interpreted in a negative light.”CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts after a basket during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors. (Petre Thomas/Imagn Images)Morant first made the gesture Monday against the Golden State Warriors, and reports said the NBA was investigating the incident, giving Morant and Buddy Hield a warning.On Thursday night, Morant did it again, just five minutes into a game.Considering Morant’s history with gun-related suspensions, the gesture blew up across the basketball world. He was suspended eight games in March 2023 after brandishing a handgun on social media at the strip club Shotgun Willie’s outside Denver. Then Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after he flashed a handgun again on a live social media video.  Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during a game against the Miami Heat April 3, 2025, at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. (Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)GEORGIA MAN GETS 12 YEARS IN JAIL AFTER SCAMMING $7 MILLION FROM NBA STAR WHO WANTED TO INVEST IN WNBA TEAMAhead of the suspensions, Morant found himself in trouble on more than one occasion, including one incident in which he got into a fight with a 17-year-old during a pickup basketball game at Morant’s home. A judge later ruled Morant acted in self-defense. Four days earlier, Morant allegedly “threatened” the head of security at a Memphis mall, and a member of Morant’s group allegedly shoved the security official in the head.  Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant dances as overtime expires against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.  (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMorant was also placed under the microscope after a January 2023 game in which an unidentified individual in the NBA star’s vehicle was accused of shining a laser pointer at the Indiana Pacers’ team bus. It happened after some members of Morant’s entourage were involved in a confrontation with a group of people in the Pacers’ traveling party.Fox News’ Scott Thompson and Chantz Martin contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner spoke out against USA Fencing during an interview on Fox News Channel’s “American Reports” on Thursday after a video of her kneeling to protest a trans opponent went viral. “There’s really no option to go around this when there are extremists who take on positions at the authoritative positions at [USA Fencing], so I have very little option but being forced to fence,” Turner said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMTurner’s decision to kneel and refuse to face trans competitor Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open last weekend resulted in Turner being dealt a black card – the most severe penalty, leading to expulsion from the tournament or event for serious rule infractions or unsportsmanlike behavior.USA Fencing chair Damien Lehfeldt has made multiple pro-trans statements, including a blog post in August 2023, where he argued on behalf of trans inclusion in fencing. “There is a possibility that transgender women have a physical advantage over their cisgender opponents after transitioning,” Lehfeldt wrote. “There is also a possibility they do not. In Fencing, there is no data to support either viewpoint. Giving athletes a sense of belonging and a will to live is more powerful than medals and competitive glory. “Transgender women are women and gender is not sex,” he insisted, adding, “Transgender fencers deserve the right to compete with the gender they identify with.”WHO IS STEPHANIE TURNER? WOMEN’S FENCER WHO KNELT TO PROTEST TRANS OPPONENT AND IGNITED GLOBAL AWARENESSUSA Fencing first enacted its current trans-inclusion policy in 2023. It allows transgender athletes to compete in the women’s category at both the junior and senior level after completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment. But the organization also employs a policy that gives preference when selecting host cities for national tournaments to states without laws that “harm members of LGBTQ communities.”In November 2023, the organization released a list of states that it intended to “avoid where possible” and the states that it flat out would not allow hosting of major events.This past December, a nonprofit fencing organization, the Fair Fencing Organization, penned an open letter to USA Fencing Board Members urging the re-evaluation of its stance on several issues, including transgender inclusion.Just days later, however, board members voted against several motions to approve an all-female task force to re-evaluate and revise the current transgender policy, in an 8-3 vote. Now, after siding against women fencers seeking protection from trans inclusion, USA Fencing finds itself plunged into a global controversy after Turner’s viral protest. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Saber fencing gear during the USA Fencing Division I National Championships at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on April 11, 2016, in Richmond, Virginia.  (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)On Thursday, the organization defended its current trans-inclusion policies in a public statement. “USA Fencing remains committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful community for everyone in our sport. We believe in the principle of creating safe communities where all athletes, and community members, have a place,” the statement read. “While we understand there are a range of perspectives, USA Fencing will continue to engage in respectful, research-based dialogue and review as policy evolves in the Olympic and Paralympic movement as well as domestic law, hate speech of any kind is not acceptable—online or in person. Let’s keep the conversation respectful and the strip welcoming to all.” Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.