Key facts
- Sean Lechner said El-Sayed's remarks undermine female athletes and disrespect families seeking answers.
- The Lechners' suit alleges officials did not tell Monroe players or parents about a transgender athlete before a September 9, 2025 match.
- The district deemed the family's Title IX allegations unsubstantiated, and the lawsuit challenges that determination.
- El-Sayed said in the interview that he is not running to govern sports and that eligibility decisions belong to sports governing bodies.
- El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Sean Lechner, father of Monroe High School volleyball player Briley Lechner, issued a statement on November 4, 2026 criticizing Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed over remarks El-Sayed made in an extended '60 Minutes' interview with Ross Douthat. Lechner said his family has lived the dispute for a year and that it is far from over.
In the interview, Douthat asked about parental control over education, including transgender students' participation on sports teams. El-Sayed responded that he did not know that a conflict of rights was actually true and said, "I think we manufacture these social issues." He later said eligibility decisions should belong to sports governing bodies and that he is not running to govern sports.
Briley and Sean Lechner filed suit on October 9, 2026 against Monroe Public Schools, the Michigan High School Athletic Association and district officials. Their attorneys at the Thomas More Law Center allege officials knew before a September 9, 2025 match that Ann Arbor Skyline's girls' volleyball team included a transgender athlete but did not tell Monroe players or parents. The suit also alleges the opposing player was permitted to use the girls' locker-room facilities without Monroe athletes being informed. The district deemed the family's Title IX allegations unsubstantiated, and the lawsuit challenges that determination and the handling of their appeal.
Lechner said of El-Sayed's remarks, "I find your statement disgusting. You undermine female athletes and disrespect families who deserve answers." He urged voters to put their children ahead of party loyalty. El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. OutKick said it had reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for a response.