Sophie Cunningham knows how to stir the pot, and she did it again right after the U.S. midterm elections. The Indiana Fever guard posted a cryptic message on her Instagram story that left fans guessing. She did not talk about the election results directly. Instead, she shared a long excerpt from entrepreneur Andy Frisella about personal excellence being the foundation of a great country. This move stands out because other WNBA players often take very direct political stances. Cunningham chose a different path, focusing on individual behavior rather than policy.
The Backlash Over Locker Room Talk
Cunningham has faced heat before for her comments on transgender women in sports. During the season, she made waves about her views. “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham told ESPN. She later added, “I was asked a question, and that’s simply what it was. I wasn’t trying to make a statement.” This history makes her recent post even more interesting. People are connecting the dots between her views on sports and her views on the country.
Personal Excellence as the Answer
The full text she shared from Andy Frisella was quite long and specific. It read, “A culture of personal excellence is the foundation of a great country. There is no election, politician, policy, or law that can substitute for that … and the best thing about that is the same behaviors that make you a better American also make your own life better quickly. If we want a better America … It starts with better Americans. There is no other way. Personal excellence is the Ultimate Rebellion.” This message shifts the focus from what the government does to what each person does.
