Riley Gaines has received support from Hollywood after her Simone Biles feud about trans athletes – for which the Olympian issued an apology for this week.
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider, best known for his work with Adam Sandler, called Gaines ‘an American hero’, days after she was branded ‘truly sick’ by Biles for her stance on trans athletes before the Olympian compared her appearance to a man.
Earlier in the week, after Biles apologized, it emerged USA Gymnastics had deleted guidance on its website over trans athletes competing in women’s events ‘to assess compliance with the current legal landscape’, as per Fox.
The news caught 61-year-old Schneider’s attention, who commented: ‘I am proud to call Riley Gaines my biological female friend. And an American hero of all girls everywhere!’
Schneider is a Donald Trump supporter and the President made the issue of trans athletes a key part of his work on the campaign trail last year.
After returning to the White Hours, he signed an executive order to ban trasngender women competing in female sports with Gaines in attendance.
Biles and Gaines have been caught in a war of words over transgender athletes
Comedian and actor Rob Schneider has said that Gaines is ‘an American hero’
The seven-time Olympic gold medalist Biles eventually said sorry this week for getting personal in her feud with Gaines, who is a host for OutKick.
After initially calling her ‘truly sick’ for campaigning against trans athletes and accusing her of making sports less safe for them, Biles then got personal when she said to Gaines on X: ‘Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.’
Biles also taunted Gaines over a race where she finished fifth, alongside trans athlete Lia Thomas, in her first post last week, saying: ‘You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.’
Four days later, Biles issued a public apology to Gaines on the platform.
‘I wanted to follow up from my last tweets,’ she wrote. ‘I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.
‘The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.
‘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.’
Her husband Jonathan Owens, an NFL player for the Chicago Bears, also shared the statement on his own Instagram.
Biles pictured alongside her husband Jonathan Owens – a Chicago Bears NFL player
Gaines shakes Donald Trump’s hand on the day he signed an executive order on trans athletes
Gaines responded: ‘I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time.’
In her lengthy response, she hinted Biles should support Trump’s efforts to keep trans athletes away from women’s sports, adding: ‘I agree with you that the blame is on the lawmakers and leaders at the top.
‘That’s why I joined Donald Trump at the signing of his Executive Order. I didn’t see you there or championing this effort with your platform.
‘Women’s sports can’t be used as an excuse for girl’s to center the feelings and validation of men and boys.
‘I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had.’
Gaines caught Biles’ eye by mocking the Minnesota state softball champions Champlin Park, who won their competition with a dominant trans pitcher in Marissa Rothenberger.
She retweeted a picture of a team celebration on X, writing: ‘Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.’
Gaines had also made her opposition clear on the controversial Hernandez, who has even faced protests from her own competititors.
