Jordyn Bahl, a star player and two-time national champion on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln softball team, recently defended her participation in a pro-life ad campaign supporting a Nebraska ballot initiative.
Bahl, along with five other university athletes, appeared in commercials urging Nebraskans to vote “yes” on Initiative Measure 434, a proposal to restrict abortion after the first trimester, while opposing Measure 439, which seeks to establish a “fundamental right to abortion” up to fetal viability.
Explaining her choice to speak out, Bahl wrote to her 100,000 Instagram followers: “This was too important for me to remain silent on. If Initiative 439 is passed, Nebraska women will be at risk. That’s why I voted FOR 434 and against 439. Keep our women, and children SAFE.”
Facing backlash, Bahl clarified her motivations, dispelling accusations that the athletes had been paid to appear in the ad.
She posted on X: “Imagine people seeing a commercial done with 6 young women supporting a pro life movement, and immediately jumping to the conclusion that we were paid to take part. Nope! None of us received a penny! We just aren’t afraid to take a stand and protect life.”
The University of Nebraska issued a statement underscoring students’ rights to free expression and clarifying that the athletes’ views do not represent the university. “The opinions expressed by students are their own and are not those of the University of Nebraska or Husker Athletics,” the statement read.
