Jason Whitlock shares new theory behind ESPN's shock double firing of Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III
- READ MORE: ESPN accused of firing Sam Ponder for her trans athletes stance
- READ MORE: ESPN 'fires rising star analyst Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder'
Jason Whitlock has weighed in on ESPN's firing of analyst Robert Griffin III and NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder, offering his own theory behind the surprising decision.
The network shockingly axed the two hosts on Thursday, just weeks before the start of the NFL season, in a double firing that has attracted accusations of 'wokeism'.
The move comes after Griffin and Ponder, who are believed to have earned over $1million-a-year and still had multiple years left on their contacts, spoke out on controversial Olympics boxer Imane Khelif - albeit with differing views.
ESPN was accused by former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines of firing Ponder over her criticism of trans athletes.
However, sports columnist Whitlock has suggested that there could be more to the double axing.
Jason Whitlock has weighed in on ESPN's firing both Robert Griffin III (R) and Sam Ponder (L)
Whitlock took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to theorize that Griffin was collateral damage, taking the fall to take the heat off the network over Ponder's exit.
'Recently, Samantha Ponder and Robert Griffin III were both fired from ESPN,' Whitlock posted on the social media platform.
'I think the reason they were fired in conjunction is so that ESPN could mute the conversation around Ponder’s firing, and have more of America talking about RG3.'
Ponder, 38, recently posted a comment on X about the gender controversy surrounding Khelif, a women's boxer accused of having XY chromosomes.
'XY= male XX= female,' Ponder wrote.
She is being released two years into her three-year, $3 million deal, but will receive her full salary, DailyMail.com has learned. Furthermore, the timing of the decision was dictated by the approaching end of the fiscal year on September 30, a source told DailyMail.com.
In contrast, Griffin took an opposing stance on the Olympic gender row, yet, the timing of his dismissal has also raised questions if he was let go over his own take.
'Imane Khelif is a biological woman and if you want to protect our daughters, you should protect her,' Griffin wrote on X about Khelif, who won gold at the Paris Olympics. 'If you don't do the research to find the truth, then we should be protected from you.'
Sports columnist Whitlock has suggested that there could be more to the double axing
ESPN declined to speak about Ponder or Griffin's departure when contacted by DailyMail.com.
Ponder, an outspoken Christian and Liberty University graduate and wife of former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, has not publicly spoken out about her dismissal.
However, she was championed by fellow former ESPN host Sage Steele, who was among those who voiced their opposition on social media to biological males competing in women's sports and previously claimed that the network had asked her not to talk about transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
'This is another loss for ESPN, but it is a gain for literally the rest of the world because now you're going to see the true Sam Ponder,' Steele said in a social media clip on Friday.
'It's all going to come out, and I hope you're ready. She is a gem,' she went on.
Steele went on to explain her friendship with her former coworker, whom she bonded with over their shared faith.
'Samantha has taught me so much about God, about scripture, about the bible, about not giving up and about standing tall. And you know what, she's done that for the last several years at ESPN, even when it was hard,' she said.
'When I was still at ESPN, we would talk about it all the time. And I just need everyone to know, this is a brilliant woman, an incredible mother who's also made me an incredible mother, who's also made me a better mother … and I'm so excited for her future. It's so scary when you're in it; you don't know if you're going to ever be OK,' Steele went on.
Riley Gaines suggested that Ponder was fired over her opinion on trans women in sports
ESPN did not fire Kirk Herbstreit, whose comments about trans women in sports were applauded by Ponder during an exchange on social media earlier this month
Ponder is married to ex-Vikings QB Christian Ponder (pictured). The couple has three children
Former SportsCenter anchor Sage Steele championed Ponder following her dismissal
'Sam already knows that this is such a blessing that God is bestowing upon her because there's so much more for her to do.'
Ponder wasn't the only ESPN personality to question the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow Khelif to compete as a woman.
Long-time college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit was asked on X if 'men belong in women's sports,' to which he replied: 'Of course not. Ridiculous question.'
Herbstreit has not been fired or publicly reprimanded by the network over the comment, which Ponder applauded online.
