Nebraska softball star responds to criticism after appearing in pro-life ad: 'We're just not afraid'

Jordyn Bahl, a two-time national champion and standout player University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) softball team is hitting back after being criticized for its participation in a political advertising campaign for a pro-life ballot measure in Nebraska.

Bahl, 22, was one of six university athletes who appeared in a series of commercials urging Nebraskans to vote on two competing abortion measures that will be on the ballot in the state's general election on Tuesday: Initiative Measure 434 and Initiative Measure 439.

Nebraska Cornhuskers middle blocker Rebekah Allick scores a kill to end the first set against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. (Dylan Widger/Imagn Images)

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office, Measure 434 seeks to amend the state constitution to ban second and third trimester abortions, except “an abortion necessary due to a medical emergency or if the pregnancy is due to sexual assault or incest.” is attributable”. .”

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Measure 439 seeks to amend the Constitution to state that “all persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion until the viability of the fetus or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient, without interference from the State or its political subdivisions.” “.

Two Protect Women and Children ads debuted this week featuring the six athletes urging voters to say “yes” to the pro-life ballot measure.

Bahl and four other members of the UNL softball team — Malia Thomas, Hannah Camenzind, Lauren Camenzind and Abbie Squier — were featured in the ads. UNL volleyball player Rebekah Allick also performed.

Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Jordyn Bahl smiles in the seventh inning after the final out against the Florida State Seminoles during Game 1 of the Women's College World Series final at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. (Brett Rojo/USA Today Sports)

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“This was too important for me to keep quiet about,” Bahl wrote in an Instagram post in which she shared the video with her more than 100,000 followers. “If Initiative 439 passes, Nebraska women will be at risk. That's why I voted FOR 434 and against 439. Protect our women and children.”

Bahl, who won two national championships in pitching in Oklahoma, where she was also named Most Outstanding Player of the Women's College World Series appeared to face resistance over the ad, prompting her to respond to X.

“Imagine people seeing a commercial featuring six young women supporting a pro-life movement and immediately jumping to the conclusion that we were paid to participate. No! None of us received a cent! “We are simply not afraid to take a stand and protect lives,” she wrote in a post on X.

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The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in a statement to KETV, the school said students are free to “exercise their First Amendment rights,” adding that they do not represent the rights of the university.

Oklahoma pitcher Jordyn Bahl yells to players in the fifth inning during the first game of the Women's College World Series final against Florida State at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 7, 2023. (IMAGN)

“The University of Nebraska is not involved in the campaign activities of candidates seeking election to the Board of Regents. The opinions expressed by candidates and the causes supported by their respective campaigns are their own and do not reflect the University of Nebraska. ” said the university's statement.

“University of Nebraska students are private citizens and may exercise their First Amendment rights. The opinions expressed by students are their own and not those of the University of Nebraska or Husker Athletics.”

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