Simone Biles has apologized for making personal remarks about Riley Gaines in a heated online exchange over transgender athlete participation in sports, even as conservative media figures continued to attack the gymnast.

The most decorated gymnast in history, Biles had called Gaines “truly sick” and a “sore loser” in a viral social media post after Gaines misgendered a Minnesota high school softball player who is transgender. Biles later said her frustration was directed at the system that puts athletes in difficult positions and that singling out an underage player crossed a line.

“It didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley,” Biles wrote in a follow-up post. “These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don’t have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect.”

The apology came days after Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer turned anti-trans activist, lashed out at Biles for her comments. The two clashed after Gaines mocked a Minnesota state high school softball championship’s post by pointing out a transgender girl on the winning team, referring to the player as “a boy” and claiming the title was “hijacked”.

Biles, who has often advocated for mental health awareness and athlete welfare, responded sharply: “You’re truly sick. All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.” She followed with additional posts criticizing Gaines for “bullying” and suggested that sports organizations create a transgender division as an inclusive alternative.

Gaines, who tied for fifth place with trans swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships and has since become a prominent figure in right-wing media, quickly pushed back. “Men don’t belong in women’s sports and I say that with my full chest,” she wrote, reposting fan responses and accusing Biles of undermining women’s spaces.

While Biles has since walked back the personal tone of her remarks, she stood by the broader point. “I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition,” she posted. “We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.”

Yet the apology did little to defuse the backlash from the American right. Fox News’ website has published no fewer than 17 stories about the dispute since it began on Saturday. On the highly rated Fox panel show The Five on Wednesday, co-host Jesse Watters called Biles “mentally weak” and mocked her decision to apologize.

“We have to make sure she medals [at LA 2028], OK? So I’m gonna lay off her,” Watters said sarcastically before likening it to Elon Musk’s walking back of his feud with Donald Trump. “But I will say this, she pulled an Elon. ‘Oh, I’m sorry for some of the things I said.’ Come on.”

The segment included further ridicule of Biles’s mental health advocacy, with Watters alluding to her high-profile withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. “This shows the power of Fox,” he said. “This woman, Riley Gaines, did the full Kilmeade: six shows in 48 hours and just put so much pressure on Simone.”

The right-leaning sports outlet Outkick, where Gaines is a contributor, also published multiple stories criticizing Biles for “bullying” and accused her of contradicting herself on inclusion and fairness.

Despite the pile-on, many of Biles’s supporters praised her for defending a transgender minor against public attacks. A coach from the Minnesota team told local media after the championship game, “She’s a great kid and a great teammate. Her teammates love having her out there.”

Biles, for her part, appears ready to move on. “We’re all passionate about sport and the direction it’s going,” she wrote. “But we need to be able to talk about it in ways that don’t tear each other down.”

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times

In recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Brother Let’s Talk a Birmingham-based grassroots mental health initiative will unite professionals, community leaders, Divine Nine fraternity members, and residents on June 17 for an open conversation about Black men’s well-being, a movement that began nearly seven years ago.

A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. and the main program begins at 7 p.m.

“We are hosting this event specifically in the month of June to increase awareness about the importance of men’s mental health,” said Jacques Austin, co-founder of Brother Let’s Talk. “This is another opportunity to highlight the importance, to continue the conversation, and to provide the community with awareness and resources.”

Organizers say the program is designed to help men engage in open conversations about healing from past traumas, emotional struggles and challenges they face in today’s world.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Jay Barnett a former professional athlete, author, and licensed therapist known for his work Just Heal Bro, a mental health journal for men.

“Dr. Barnett is a perfect fit,” said Austin. “He’s a Black male therapist — something we don’t see often and he speaks from the perspective of a former athlete and a current counselor. His work helps men open up through journaling, which is a powerful therapeutic tool.”

Hosting this month’s event at the Birmingham Museum of Art was a deliberate choice to elevate the setting and bring mental health discussions into spaces of beauty and heritage, said Austin.

“We try to find locations that are spacious and highlight part of the beauty of Birmingham,” he said. “The museum represents history, culture, and is a great place for people to gather and have meaningful conversations.”

What began in 2017 as a one-time panel discussion among seven Black male mental health professionals has grown into a transformative movement. Yvas Witherspoon, assistant director and co-founder of Brother Let’s Talk, remembers its origin clearly:

“Seven of us working in mental health came together back in 2017, and all of us saw a need to reach out to Black men in a culturally relevant way,” Witherspoon said. “We saw firsthand how stigma and lack of culturally competent care were impacting our community.”

Jacques Austin, co-founder of Brother Let’s Talk: “This is another opportunity to highlight the importance, to continue the conversation, and to provide the community with awareness and resources.” (File)

Austin echoed that sentiment, adding: “We came together with the idea of having just one event. Our motto is to ‘stop the stigma and address the stress.’ We wanted to identify and dispel that stigma that Black men have regarding mental health.”

The first event drew over 100 attendees. “They were saying, ‘This was great. When can y’all do this again?’ That’s when our wheels started turning,” Austin said.

Since its inception, Brother Let’s Talk has evolved into more than just a one-time event. It now hosts Barbershop Talks — monthly men-only gatherings where participants discuss topics such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and grief in a judgment-free zone.

“The barbershop talks are held on the last Sunday of each month and focus on real-life issues,” said Austin. “We bring in licensed professionals, but we keep the space relaxed and familiar. The barbershop is a sacred space in Black culture.”

Witherspoon emphasized how important these casual spaces are for healing. “Barbershops, community centers, museums — these aren’t traditional therapy offices, but they are where Black men feel safe and seen,” he said.

For the first time members of the Divine Nine fraternities — Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Iota Phi Theta — historically Black Greek-letter organizations — will partner with Brothers Let’s Talk to strengthen the message and increase reach.

“We hadn’t done a community event specifically with the Divine Nine before,” Austin shared. “I’m a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and we have an initiative called Brother, You’re on My Mind, which also promotes mental health awareness.”

“This was a chance to bring the Divine Nine men together to talk about mental health awareness,” he continued. “Many of them are therapists, counselors, or simply passionate about mental wellness. It was the perfect collaboration.”

For both Austin and Witherspoon, the mission is personal.

“Some men come and just absorb the conversation. Others are eager to talk,” Austin said. “We’ve developed a small group of consistent attendees, and we hope that continues to grow.”

Witherspoon added: “If we can reach one man, that one man can impact a family. That family can impact a community. That’s how change happens — one man at a time.”

For more information, please visit www.brotherletstalk.com

Lincoln, Neb. — College sports may never look the same again. A federal judge has approved the settlement in House v. NCAA, clearing the way for colleges to directly pay student-athletes for the first time — a landmark shift in the landscape of college athletics.

NTV Sports Central podcast 3 breaks down what the ruling means nationally, and more specifically, what it could mean for Nebraska. Current Huskers stars like quarterback Dylan Raiola and volleyball standout Harper Murray are already benefiting from NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. But with direct pay on the horizon, the system — and expectations — could shift dramatically.

That’s just one of several big stories this week in Nebraska athletics.

Gena Jorgenson made Husker swimming history at the 2025 Toyota National Championships, setting four new school records in a breakout performance.

On the wrestling mats, Nebraska secured a major transfer in AJ Ferrari, a former NCAA Champion, who brings elite credentials and firepower to the program.

On the football field, future Husker quarterback Trea Taylor, a Class of 2027 commit, turned heads at the Battle of the Boneyard 7-on-7 showcase. Taylor, who spent time with fans and current quarterback Dylan Raiola, continues to show maturity beyond his years — both on and off the field.

And finally, on the road again: the latest episode of Roaming with Randy takes viewers on a return trip to Runza, where the cheeseburger taste test is officially happening — all thanks to viewer feedback.

OXFORD, Miss. – After approval of the House vs. NCAA settlement, college athletics has entered a new era of revenue sharing with student-athletes, and Ole Miss is welcoming this significant step towards a stable future for the industry.
 
Finalized last Friday (June 6) by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, the landmark agreement resolved three antitrust lawsuits — House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA, and Carter v. NCAA. The settlement opens the door for schools to share up to $20.5 million annually with its student-athletes starting July 1, 2025. 
 
The $20.5 million will be made up of new scholarships and cash distributions, while student-athletes may continue receiving compensation for the use of their Name, Image and Likeness.
 
Additionally, the NCAA will distribute approximately $2.8 billion in back-pay damages over the next 10 years to current and former Division I athletes who competed since 2016, acknowledging their contributions to the revenue created for college athletics departments nationwide. 
 
“We are excited for this new chapter, which prioritizes the well-being and success of our student-athletes,” said Keith Carter, Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. “This settlement not only provides unprecedented financial opportunities but also enhances support services, including mental health resources, nutrition programs and extended medical coverage, ensuring our athletes thrive both on and off the field.
 
“While the past few years have seen Ole Miss reach historic heights, we look forward to embracing a new model in college athletics and finding some much needed stability. More importantly, we are excited about the new opportunities afforded to our student-athletes. With a commitment to millions of dollars in new scholarships along with revenue sharing, our student-athletes will benefit in a variety of new ways.” 
 
In this new structure, The Grove Collective will remain a key partner for Ole Miss Athletics, providing a valuable channel for Rebel fans to connect with student-athletes through athlete-focused content, public appearances, special events and other fan opportunities. In addition, the Magnolia Sports Group, the corporate marketing agency of The Grove Collective, will help identify, solicit and source NIL opportunities for our student-athletes within the Ole Miss business community.
 
From a broader exposure standpoint, Ole Miss recently extended its agreement with Ole Miss Sports Properties and Learfield as the athletics department’s exclusive multimedia rightsholder. That unit will continue to leverage the program’s brand growth as well as the student-athletes’ celebrity to align with businesses of all sizes.
 
“As always, we will find new and innovative ways to compete and win at the highest level,” Carter said. “While it may look different moving forward, we are excited to expand our relationship with The Grove Collective and Magnolia Sports Group. Their partnership coupled with the extensive reach of Ole Miss Sports Properties and Learfield Impact NIL service should lead to countless marketing opportunities for our department and our student-athletes.
 
“The revenue generated by these groups comes in addition to the vitally important capital support of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, which continues to drive major gifts fundraising as well as tickets, parking and other gameday services. It’s only through these partners that we can provide the preeminent student-athlete experience that is a staple of our athletics culture.”
 
The establishment of the College Sports Commission, a new regulatory body, will oversee the enforcement of third-party NIL deals and revenue-sharing practices for student-athletes. The Commission, which is independent of the NCAA, will only enforce settlement-related rules and investigate any potential violations.
 
“We are committed to the new model and working with the new College Sports Commission,” Carter said. “While change can be challenging, we are prepared for the new era of intercollegiate athletics. 
 
“Ole Miss has never had a brighter future, due in large part to the unwavering support of our fans and donors. We couldn’t have reached this point without their passion, and we look forward to embarking on this journey together.”
 
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Update today to the all-new version of the Ole Miss Sports app, presented by Renasant Bank. The new app will serve as a dynamic hub for Rebel gameday content, including ticketing, parking, schedules, shopping for official Ole Miss merchandise and much more. Click here for more info or to download.