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Utah school board member faces calls to resign over post falsely suggesting teen girl was transgender

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Utah school board member faces calls to resign over post falsely suggesting teen girl was transgender


A Utah state school board member has come under fire for sharing a post in social media that appeared to falsely suggest a high school basketball player is transgender — sparking online threats against the 16-year-old girl.

Natalie Cline, a conservative member of the Utah Board of Education, posted a photo Tuesday on Facebook of Al and Rachel van der Beek’s daughter in uniform with the caption “Girls’ basketball,” KSL-TV reported.

She implied in the since-deleted screenshot of an Instagram ad about a game that the Salt Lake City girl is transgender and should not be allowed to play, according to the outlet.

The girl, who was not named, was reportedly inundated with hateful comments and threats from social media users who saw the outspoken Republican’s post.

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Equality Utah said the teen is not transgender, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The van der Beeks told KSL that school officials called them Wednesday to inform them of Cline’s post and the hateful comments directed at their daughter, whom they described as a tomboy.

Utah state school board member Natalie Cline is under fire after sharing a post implying that a 16-year-old girl on a high school basketball team is transgender. Utah State Board of Education

“Someone has posted some things on Facebook and it’s starting to get a lot of attention and there’s a lot of people commenting,” Al said. “Basically, your daughter is accused of being a boy playing girls’ basketball.”

“To look at someone’s outer appearance and make an assumption that they’re either playing in the right arena or not, based on how someone looks I don’t think is appropriate,” Rachel told the outlet.

The elected 15-member school board reacted to the controversy on Thursday.

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“The Utah State Board of Education leadership condemns the actions taken by Board Member Natalie Cline on her recent Facebook post directed toward a female high school student athlete in Utah,” it said in a statement.

Cline’s since-deleted Facebook post incited an avalanche of threats against the girl. KSL
The post suggested that the teen should not be allowed to compete on a girls’ team. Natalie Cline / Facebook

“Board Leadership is very concerned about this post and the harm it has caused to students and families in Utah. We are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place and will be taking prompt action regarding this matter as determined by the full Board,” it said.

The board noted, however, that it “has no power or authority to unseat an elected official,” adding that “if the full Board determines discipline is warranted, Board Bylaws provide guidelines for additional action.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, both Republicans, also denounced Cline.

Rachel and Al van der Beek, the girl’s parents, are calling for Cline to resign. KSL-TV

“We were stunned to learn of the unconscionable behavior of board member Cline and others toward a high school student today. The last thing our children need is an elected official harassing them on social media,” Cox and Henderson said in a joint statement Wednesday.

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“Sadly, this is not the first time that board member Cline has embarrassed the state of Utah and State Board of Education,” they said in the joint rebuke of the board member who previously faced calls to resign over inflammatory comments about LGBTQ+ students.

“We urge the State Board of Education to hold her accountable and we commend Granite School District for taking swift action to protect this student’s safety and well-being,” the two leaders added.

Natalie Cline has apologized for the post and acknowledged that the teen is not transgender. Natalie Cline / Facebook

On Wednesday, the embattled member apologized to the girl — while calling her post “Constitutionally Protected Speech.”

“I previously shared a public advertisement for a school basketball game that was sent to me by multiple concerned parents, and it created a firestorm around one of the players pictured,” Cline wrote.

“Personal information as well as derogatory comments about the player were made by several commenters. To protect the player, I have removed the post. My deepest apologies for the negative attention my post drew to innocent students and their families,” she wrote.

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Rachel van der Beek KSL

She insisted that she “never claimed the student was a boy,” adding that “for those who are still claiming the student is a boy, please know that several people I know and trust have reached out to me who personally know this girl and have vouched that she is in fact a biological girl and always has been since birth.”

Cline also noted that the girl “does have a larger build, like her parents.

“We live in strange times when it is normal to pause and wonder if people are what they say they are because of the push to normalize transgenderism in our society,” she wrote.

“We are all trying to preserve women’s sports and their privacy spaces. In doing so, we most certainly recognize that there is great variety within females when it comes to physical characteristics, and of course, we are accepting of these differences and want all girls to feel welcome in school sports,” Cline continued.

Al van der Beek KSL

“Sadly, our good faith efforts to be accepting of differences has, at times, been taken advantage of causing a loss of trust, which leads to suspicion about girls who are more buff than most. This is a sad consequence of the trans movement being foisted upon us, which puts us all in a difficult spot,” she added.

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Democratic state lawmakers have called for Cline to resign and said they’re working with attorneys to begin impeachment proceedings against her.

Republican leaders have not signaled whether they would support impeachment, but Senate President Stuart Adams on Thursday said he was “looking at all options” to address Cline’s “reprehensible” behavior.

The girl’s parents also called on Cline to resign.

“I feel like she should have a public apology that’s not just Facebook,” Al told KSL. “What if our daughter didn’t have that strong character and have our support, and community support to where she internalized this? Worst-case scenario, she could’ve ended her own life.”

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Utah freshman QB Byrd Ficklin gets his first start — and a highlight-reel touchdown

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Utah freshman QB Byrd Ficklin gets his first start — and a highlight-reel touchdown


Devon Dampier was listed as probable in Utah’s Friday availability report.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) runs the ball as Utah hosts Cal Poly, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Utah freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin made his first career start on Saturday night.

And it took him less than a minute to find paydirt.

On the second play from scrimmage, Ficklin kept the ball and broke off a 63-yard touchdown run to put the Utes up early.

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Despite being listed as probable on Friday’s availability report, junior quarterback Devon Dampier will only be available in an “emergency situation,” ESPN reported just before kickoff.

It’s the first time the junior has not started in a game for Utes this season.

This season, Dampier has completed 68.7% of his passes for 1,375 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 80 carries, 442 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Before making his first official career start, Ficklin had appeared in six games, tallying nine completions for 138 passing yards and one touchdown. The freshman had also made an impact on the ground, entering the contest with 17 rushes for 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

“Byrd Ficklin, we have a ton of confidence in [him] every time he’s entered a game,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said this week. “So far this year, he’s done positive things. If we end up going that route based on health, then we have the confidence he can get it done.”

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Utah visits Minnesota after Cooley’s hat trick

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Utah visits Minnesota after Cooley’s hat trick


Associated Press

Utah Mammoth (6-2, in the Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (3-4-1, in the Central Division)

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Saint Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Utah Mammoth visit the Minnesota Wild after Logan Cooley’s hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Mammoth’s 7-4 win.

Minnesota has gone 3-4-1 overall with a 1-1-0 record against the Central Division. The Wild have scored 10 power-play goals, which ranks first in the Western Conference.

Utah is 6-2 overall and 3-2-0 against the Central Division. The Mammoth are fourth in league play serving 11.5 penalty minutes per game.

The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.

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INJURIES: Wild: None listed.

Mammoth: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Massive List Of Injured Players Expected To Miss Colorado’s Game At Utah Utes

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Massive List Of Injured Players Expected To Miss Colorado’s Game At Utah Utes


Despite coming off a bye, a massive list of Colorado Buffaloes players are expected to miss Saturday’s matchup against the Utah Utes due to injury.

Seventeen Buffs were listed as out on Wednesday’s player availability report, one is doubtful, three are questionable and six probable. Meanwhile, Utah listed only three players as questionable, including starting quarterback Devon Dampier. If Dampier can’t go, coach Kyle Whittingham is expected to give freshman Byrd Ficklin the starting nod under center.

Below is the first of four daily injury reports heading into Saturday’s Big 12 football matchup between Colorado and Utah:

List Players Expected Miss Colorado Buffaloes Game Utah Utes Big 12 Injury Report Player Simeon Price Devon Dampier TJ Branch

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Simeon Price (26) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

OUT

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DOUBTFUL

QUESTIONABLE

List Players Expected Miss Colorado Buffaloes Game Utah Utes Big 12 Injury Report Player Simeon Price Devon Dampier TJ Branch

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas (95) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

PROBABLE

Fortunately for Colorado, the vast majority of the 27 players listed above aren’t starters for coach Deion Sanders. Still, the Buffs are lacking some depth on the interior defensive line with Coleman, Lightfoot, Barnes and Thomas all either out or questionable.

Offensively, Colorado will notably be without five reserve linemen and the running back duo of Price and Taylor.

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List Players Expected Miss Colorado Buffaloes Game Utah Utes Big 12 Injury Report Player Simeon Price Devon Dampier TJ Branch

Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Arden Walker (53) dances after his sack for a safety on Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Kaden Anderson (12) in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Those expected to return after missing Colorado’s last game against the Iowa State Cyclones include defensive end Arden Walker, wide receiver Dre’lon Miller and safety Carter Stoutmire (probable).

“One thing that I really love about our guys, you don’t see our guys laying around on the field,” Sanders said. “They get up and they get off the darn field regardless of how hurt they are. That’s something that us coaches implemented. We don’t want to see you laying on the field because we have a rule: If you lay down there, we come out there to get you. You ain’t going back in.”

MORE: Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes Poised for Injury Comeback Week vs. Utah 

MORE: Shedeur Sanders Proves Leadership Still Strong With Sideline Support for Dillon Gabriel

MORE: Utah Announces Major Injury News Before Playing Colorado Buffaloes

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List Players Expected Miss Colorado Buffaloes Game Utah Utes Big 12 Injury Report Player Simeon Price Devon Dampier TJ Branch

Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) scores a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images

QUESTIONABLE

According to Whittingham, Dampier was “beat up” during Utah’s loss to the BYU Cougars on Saturday.

“When Devon’s hobbled, that obviously causes you to rethink some of the QB run game,” Whittingham said Monday, per Utah. “You don’t completely go away from it, but when it’s a could go either way situation, you might opt to not do it because of his mobility. He got beat up in this game (BYU) pretty good.”

Kickoff between the Buffs and Utes is set for 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN.



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