Respect is always well deserved if you uphold your convictions and make a sacrifice in the service of your religion.
Former Colorado high school wrestler Brendan Johnston is well aware of it. According to reports, he apparently forfeited two state tournament matches against girls back in 2018.
By declining to accept the matches, he basically ended his high school career in the sport due to his personal and religious views.
Maybe more than ever these days, the idea of putting adult males and females in physical competition is being debated.
Of course, the majority of people think it’s unjust to pit men and women against one another. The two sexes differ greatly from one another, not the least of which is biological, thus the playing field isn’t even leveled at first.
Either way, the notion of facing Skyview High’s Jaslynn Gallegos in the opening round of a state tournament in 2018 infuriated 18-year-old Brendan Johnson. Brendan, a senior at Colorado Springs’ Classical Academy at the time, also chose not to compete against Valley High’s Angel Rios in his third-round consolation bout.

Credit / YouTube – Fox31
Christian Brendan stated, “It’s so physical, physically close,” in an interview with KDVR. That’s not really suitable, in my opinion, with a young lady. Additionally, it’s pretty aggressive, and I’m not really comfortable with that.
The speaker went on, “I truly do find the thought of battling with a girl troubling, and part of that does stem from my faith and my belief.
And that does stem in part from the way I was brought up to treat women as well as possibly from other events and things.
“I don’t think that I am looking at them as not equal. I am saying that they are women and that is different than being men, because I do believe that men and women are different and we are made differently.
“But I still believe that women are of equal value to men. I don’t think that seeing men and women as different [opposes] the idea of equality.”

YouTube / 11Alive
As a result of Brendan’s decision not to wrestle the two girls, he placed sixth, while Angel and Jaslynn placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Jaslynn, however, was disappointed by Brendan opting out of a potential match. Speaking to the Washington Post at the time, she said: “This whole time that I’ve wrestled, it’s just me trying to prove a point that I am just a wrestler.
“And so the fact that my gender is something that kind of holds me back still is just a little nerve-racking, but I respect his decision. It’s fine.
“My whole thing is that I’m not a girl wrestler; I’m just a wrestler. So it kind of doesn’t hurt my feelings, but I do kind of take it to heart.”
See more on Brendan’s big call here:
What do you think about Brendan’s decision to refuse to wrestle a female? Let us know in the comments box.