There’s always a large degree of respect to be earned for sticking by your beliefs or
sacrificing something in the name of your faith.
Brendan Johnston, a former high school wrestler from Colorado, knows all about that. Back in
2018, he reportedly forfeited no less than two state tournament matches that were supposed to
take place against girls.
In doing so, he effectively ended his high school career in the sport, citing his religious and
personal beliefs as his reason for refusing to accept the matches.
The subject of pitting adult male versus adult female in physical competition is one that’s perhaps
discussed more often these days than ever before.
Of course, for the most part, people believe that it’s unfair to make men and women go head to
head. The two sexes are so different in many ways, not least biologically, and so the playing field
isn’t even from the get-go.
In any case, 18-year-old Brendan Johnson took umbrage to the idea of wrestling against Jaslynn
Gallegos of Skyview High in the first round of a state tournament in 2018. Brendan, then a senior
at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, opted not to fight Angel Rios from Valley High in his
third-round consolation match either.
Speaking to KDVR, Brendan, who is Christian, said: “It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think
that’s really appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive and I’m not really, I guess,
comfortable with that.”
He continued: “There is something that I really do find problematic about the idea of wrestling
with a girl, and a part of that does come from my faith and my belief.
“And a part of that does come from how I was raised to treat women as well as maybe from
different experiences and things.
“I don’t think that I am looking at them as not equal. I am saying that they are women and that is
different than being men, because I do believe that men and women are different and we are
made differently.
“But I still believe that women are of equal value to men. I don’t think that seeing men and women
as different [opposes] the idea of equality.”
As a result of Brendan’s decision not to wrestle the two girls, he placed sixth, while Angel and
Jaslynn placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Jaslynn, however, was disappointed by Brendan opting out of a potential match. Speaking to the
Washington Post at the time, she said: “This whole time that I’ve wrestled, it’s just me trying to
prove a point that I am just a wrestler.
“And so the fact that my gender is something that kind of holds me back still is just a little nerveracking, but I respect his decision. It’s fine.
“My whole thing is that I’m not a girl wrestler; I’m just a wrestler. So it kind of doesn’t hurt my
feelings, but I do kind of take it to heart.”
See more on Brendan’s big call here:
What do you think about Brendan’s decision to refuse to wrestle a female? Let us know in the
comments box. Meanwhile, if you thought this article was interesting, check out the one below for
more!