As America’s sports landscape continues to grapple with the ongoing culture war surrounding the participation of trans athletes in women’s sports, this year’s Super Bowl ad lineup became a focal point of contention. Two commercials, in particular, sparked significant backlash from those advocating for the protection of female athletes against trans inclusion. One ad, produced by the NFL and featuring one of the longest durations of the night, was titled “Leave The Past Behind.” It aimed to promote the expansion of girls’ flag football in high schools across the country but faced criticism for depicting a female flag football player excelling against male players.
Many critics objected to the commercial for suggesting that females can compete on equal footing with males. This portrayal challenges the argument that female athletes are at a physical disadvantage compared to their male counterparts, a common point in discussions advocating for trans inclusion in women’s sports. The women’s advocacy group “Women Are Real” condemned the ad, stating, “I hate this ad with all my heart. We know we can’t compete against a team of men. It’s a lie. And it’s a slap in the face of every phenomenal female athlete. Women’s sports is about female excellence. Leave the men out of this.” They further emphasized the importance of supporting female athletes without comparisons to males, asserting that the ad undermines the hard work of female competitors.
Marshi Smith, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, criticized the NFL for its portrayal, questioning, “Why is the world obsessed with showing women playing sports against men? Give us our own sports and stop comparing us.” Casey Caston, founder of a marriage counseling service, labeled the imagery as “unrealistic,” arguing that it disrespects the inherent differences between genders. He stated, “Women weren’t created to do everything a man CAN do. Women were created to do everything a man CAN’T do.” Despite the criticism, some social media users praised the ad for its intention to promote girls’ flag football.
The other controversial commercial came from Nike, marking its first Super Bowl ad in 27 years, featuring prominent women athletes like Caitlin Clark, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and JuJu Watkins. However, critics quickly pointed out Nike’s support for trans athletes, which fueled further outrage among those opposed to trans inclusion in women’s sports.
