Jemele Hill supports Matt Calkins after his resignation from The Seattle Times
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 11:05 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Jemele Hill publicly defended journalist Matt Calkins, who resigned from The Seattle Times after the newspaper declined to publish his controversial column supporting Sophie Cunningham. Calkins argued that several of his writings presented alternative perspectives that the newspaper had previously suppressed. Hill disagreed with Calkins' views but advocated for his right to express them. She emphasized that the newspaper should allow him to defend his opinions unless the columns lacked journalistic integrity. Calkins had been with The Seattle Times for 11 years, and this incident highlights ongoing debates within journalism regarding editorial decisions.
- •Matt Calkins resigned after The Seattle Times spiked his column.
- •His column defended Sophie Cunningham's controversial stance.
- •Jemele Hill supports Calkins despite disagreeing with his views.
- •Hill believes the newspaper should publish contentious opinions.
- •Calkins has experienced several columns being rejected by the outlet.
- 11:05 AMYahoo Sports — ‘I Totally Get Why He Resigned’ — Ex-ESPN Star Backs Columnist Who Quit Over Scrapped Column on Sophie Cunningham Trans Athlete Controversy
- 2:33 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Totally get why he resigned’: Jemele Hill defends journalist who resigned over Sophie Cunningham
"Former ESPN star Jemele Hill defended journalist Matt Calkins after he resigned from The Seattle Times over a spiked column linked to the Sophie Cunningham trans athlete debate. While Hill sharply criticized Calkins’ views, she supported his right to publish the piece he wrote after fans rallied behind the Indiana Fever guard’s outspoken stance on women’s sports.
"Jemele Hill has weighed in on sports columnist Matt Calkins, and her take on the situation may surprise you. Calkins announced Thursday he was resigning from The Seattle Times after 11 years. His decision was based on the newspaper spiking a column he had written defending Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever and her belief…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 11:05 AM‘I Totally Get Why He Resigned’ — Ex-ESPN Star Backs Columnist Who Quit Over Scrapped Column on Sophie Cunningham Trans Athlete Controversy
Former ESPN star Jemele Hill defended journalist Matt Calkins after he resigned from The Seattle Times over a spiked column linked to the Sophie Cunningham trans athlete debate. While Hill sharply criticized Calkins’ views, she supported his right to publish the piece he wrote after fans rallied behind the Indiana Fever guard’s outspoken stance on women’s sports.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 2:33 AM‘Totally get why he resigned’: Jemele Hill defends journalist who resigned over Sophie Cunningham
Jemele Hill has weighed in on sports columnist Matt Calkins, and her take on the situation may surprise you. Calkins announced Thursday he was resigning from The Seattle Times after 11 years. His decision was based on the newspaper spiking a column he had written defending Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever and her belief…
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