ESPN Host Defends Sam Ponder Amid Women's Sports Controversy

ESPN's Sage Steele is defending Sam Ponder amid her women's sports controversy.

Ponder, the longtime ESPN host, took some criticism on social media, mainly from USA Today, following her comments on transgender athletes in women's sports.

"I barely said anything publicly abt this issue & I’ve had so many ppl msg me, stop me in the street to say thank you+ tell me stories abt girls who are afraid to speak up for fear of lost employment/being called hateful. It is not hateful to demand fairness in sports for girls," she wrote in response to a tweet from Riley Gaines.

Ponder was called out by a USA Today columnist, who said she's showing her "bigotry."

"If ESPN’s Sam Ponder was truly concerned about women’s sports, she’s had ample opportunity in the last year to call out the inequities that actually do exist. She hasn’t. This isn’t about “fairness.” It’s about her bigotry," she wrote.

While Ponder is taking some heat from some, she's getting defended by others.

Among those defending her: ESPN host Sage Steele.

"Pathetic attack on a WOMAN who is simply fighting for other WOMEN in sports. @nrarmour chooses to lead w her emotions vs facts. "Follow the science", right?! When in doubt, just pull the bigot/race card!Comical. Stay strong @samponder ..this is a lonely fight, but it's worth it!" she wrote.

It'll be interesting to see if more ESPN coworkers respond.