Angels legend Troy Percival speaks out amid trans athlete crisis, endorses Chad Bianco

NCAA Women's soccer player Sophia Lorey describes the 'heartbreaking' impact of a transgender athlete's victory in girls' track and field events at a California meet. Lorey, who spoke at a 'Save Girls Sports' rally, condemns Governor Newsom's characterization of protestors as 'bullies,' emphasizing the unfairness to female athletes and the need for fair competition.

Anaheim Angels icon Troy Percival threw his official endorsement behind Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in California’s closely watched 2026 gubernatorial race, according to an exclusive statement sent to Fox News Digital.

Percival, a hero in the Angels’ 2002 World Series championship run, tied his endorsement of Bianco to criticism of California’s progressive leadership and the state’s contested policies regarding transgender student-athletes, which have impacted women's athletics.

Troy Percival pitches for the Anaheim Angels during their 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Edison Field in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 11, 2002. (John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

In the exclusive statement from Bianco's campaign, Percival praised Bianco’s resistance to state COVID-19 mandates while backing the sheriff’s position on biological sex in sports divisions:

CHAD BIANCO REVEALS HIS CALIFORNIA SPORTS VISION: SAVING THE LA OLYMPICS AND TRANS ATHLETE CRISIS CONSEQUENCES

"Sheriff Chad Bianco is the ONLY person I trust to lead California out of failure and back into greatness. Chad had the backbone to face Gavin Newsom and the Democrat establishment during COVID," Percival said, adding, "While the rest of the country was shut down, businesses and churches continued running like normal.

Angels icon Troy Percival backs Sheriff Chad Bianco, vowing to protect female