Do you prefer athletes make their politics public?

[True Dough]

Let's see. Today alone we have Stephen Curry saying Drumpf is an "ass," not an asset.

Then there's Lebron saying Drumpf's immigration ban "divides and excludes people."

On the other end of the spectrum, Curt Schilling (now retired) asserts that Elizabeth Warren "represents everything we hate about politics."


Do you tune into sports to get away from politics? Do you have any issues with professional athletes using their platform to push their political agenda? Or would you rather know where players stand on topics of the day?

[bluedigger]

1. Free speech isn't without repercussions.

I support everyone's right to express themselves as they will, but if you are in the public sphere, you have to accept that divisiveness may be personally and professionally harmful. Everyone has different priorities on which they make their choices. Team sports provide a lot of cover, too. A guy I respect a lot for speaking freely is Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Nascar. He is his team and brand.

[True Dough]

2. I wasn't familiar with Earnhardt Jr.'s politics

Had to Google it out of curiosity. I like the way he thinks.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/01/31/america-is-created-by-immigrants-dale-earnhardt-jr-speaks-out-about-trumps-ban/?utm_term=.5949e3c477b0

[exboyfil]

3. Could we get him to move to Alabama

and run for Sessions' Senate seat?

[Jamaal510]

4. I tune in to sports

as a form of escape from politics and current events in general, yet I don't mind if people make their views known whether it's someone like LeBron James, Curt Schilling, or Tom Brady. At least I'd gain insight into their character away from sports. For example with LeBron, I don't like him as a player, but I respect what he does for the community off the court and for being brave enough to speak up on big issues.

[world wide wally]

5. I love professional sports and found the best way to look at the players is that they are too stupid

to be political, so they must be mostly Republicans. Then when I hear one is liberal or progressive, they become my new favorite player.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Don't Watch Golf, Wally

I'm a big golf fan, but that tour is LOADED with libertarian wankers and conservative tools. Been that way for decades. I have to suspend my loathing and just watch the game, not pay attention to the person playing it.

[world wide wally]

9. I used to watch golf, but have fallen out of that habit the past few years, so I am safe there.

I do meet them at the golf course though. Maybe that's why I've cut back on that too

[murielm99]

6. I don't care one way or the other.

We love it when people in the arts make bold statements about trump. Athletes should be given the same right.

I suppose they can say what they want. As long as they are not committing crimes, they have as much right as anyone else.

[Iggo]

7. I understand that athletes are people with opinions, and they are entitled to them, just like I am.

I don't think they should keep their mouths shut.

I don't watch sports to get away from politics.

I watch sports because I like sports.

[JonLP24]

10. They have a right to their opinion as much as anyone else

Especially coming from someone who is posting on a political message board.

[DinahMoeHum]

11. They are citizens like everyone else. . .

. . . and thus entitled to their opinion.

If they want to espouse their political beliefs, that's their business. I can take it or leave it.

These days, they are also keeping their public "brand" (themselves) in mind.

As for sports, AFAIC, they are not an escape from society, but a reflection of it.

If people are becoming more politically motivated, you can bet that athletes are also involved.

And yes, there are times when politics and sports do collide (in the words of Dave Zirin, sportswriter for The Nation magazine)

[True Dough]

12. Dexter Fowler states his opposition to the Drumpf travel ban...

His wife is Iranian. His family is affected.

Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler is expressing disappointment at President Donald Trump's travel ban, ESPN is reporting.

Fowler’s wife, Darya Baghbani, was born in Iran, one of seven majority-Muslim countries affected by the ban.

The couple was planning to bring their daughter, Naya, to visit family, but is putting off the trip because of uncertainly about the president's order, ESPN reported.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked enforcement of Trump's executive order; the administration says it may issue a new one.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-outfielder-fowler-disappointed-with-trump-travel-ban/article_c3a4efc3-058e-5580-b082-37fa4c70a026.html

[hughee99]

13. I don't really care. If they choose to make their politics public, that's their call.

I also don't think athletes should be "called out" for choosing to not use their celebrity status to make political statements. If they do choose to wade into the political waters, though, they're "fair game" just like anyone else. I respect the fact that some celebrities don't feel they're well informed enough on an issue to make a statement about it.

I don't base my decisions on what to watch or not to watch based on a particular athlete's political statements, and for team sports, I don't base my decisions on who to root for or against based on the statements of a particular member of members of that team. For most team sports, you can probably find athletes on every team of all political stripes, and a significant number of them with very little political knowledge at all.

For individual sports (like golf, tennis, auto racing, etc...) I will admit that I've found myself subconsciously rooting for or against someone because of it.