Throughout history we have had numerous athletes who have made political statements while participating in sport. There was Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Curt Flood, Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the early and second half of the twentieth century. However, we have also had athletes who do not want any part of politics. Some of us may remember Michael Jordan's famous "Republicans buy shoes too" quote. After the events of September 11th some athletes such as Carlos Delgado spoke out against the war. More recently, athletes such as Scott Fujita have come out in favor of gay marriage, and numerous athletes are speaking out against Rush Limbaugh becoming in owner in the NFL. I want to know what do we think of athletes that make political stands? Are our responses different depending on the athlete that does it? Should we embrace the fact that powerful people are making their feelings known? Is this any different from you or I taking a stand on an issue? When may it be important for athletes to do this? Are there times when it might not be in their best interest? Below I am going to post two links to articles, take a look at them to help your response. It is also fair game to comment directly about either of these articles.
http://www.edgeofsports.com/2009-10-06-460/index.html
http://sportsonmymind.com/2009/10/12/nfl-notes-demaurice-smith-takes-the-principled-stand-on-rush-limbaugh/
http://sportsonmymind.com/2009/10/09/rush-limbaugh-the-big-subliminal-shows-its-true-colors/
In today's era of sports, with how visible athletes are and how something remotely controversial they say may be blown out of proportion, I respect when an athlete voices their opinion on a political matter - regardless if I agree or disagree with their opinion. Players get perpetually slammed time and time again in the media if they make a controversial comment, and this continues for a long time, often years after the comment was originally made.
ReplyDeleteI think there is definitely a threshold for an athlete being too outspoken on politics, like Curt Schilling. He constantly threw in his two cents and then some on politics and it almost became a joke and just annoying.
Although I'll respect it if they do choose to voice an unpopular opinion, there are times when they should just keep their thoughts to themselves. For example, Terrelle Pryor made some pretty controversial (and ridiculous) comments regarding Michael Vick. See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjDgvnU15kY
In this instance, Pryor just came off as a fool. (Everybody murder people?)
Probably 99% of the time it is best for collegiate athletes to not voice their political opinions publicly with the press.
When it comes to athletes taking a political stand i think that it is a good thing because believe it or not they are actual people and they have to deal with the same things that any average joe has to deal with when it comes to politics. Although i think it is a good thing, the media tends to hype up something to cause some controversy no matter what is said by an athlete and it is all over the news. If you or i said something like "abortion should be legal" people could accept that opinion a little bit better on both sides of the argument when compared to a high figure in the sports world. I really don't remember to much about athletes during the election but movie stars are pretty similar with their high status in the world. I know many of them were very active in this past election letting their views known to the world and i do believe it was very beneficial to the candidates in the end, and i'm sure athletes were very active in their views of who should win the election. But in the end i do feel athletes perceptions on political views plays a big role on our society.
ReplyDeleteOne common perception of professional athlets is that they are dumb or un-educated. By addressing issues such as gay rights or politics, we begin to realize that some of these athletes are very intelligent and keep up with the world. I think most of the time, it sheds a positive light on fellow athletes when professional athletes stand up for what they believe. Ya i'm sure there are some athletes that could care less who our president is becuase they make 20 million dollars regardless, but the ones who speak up enhance our perception on them as people, instead of just as an athlete.
ReplyDeleteGood for Fujita for sticking up and speaking out for what he believes in. I like his attitude and think all athletes should think like him, meaning they shouldn't be afraid to speak their minds politically, especially on good causes. As far as the sportsonmymind article about Limbaugh, I think this guy just hates ESPN. I can agree with some of the stuff he is saying but when he says stuff about ESPN hating black people I think it is bogus and I lose respect for him. I would love to see what happens when if he were to actually meet some people from ESPN and discuss his feelings.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading some of the other articles about the Limbaugh/Rams situation on the sports on my mind website, it seems to me that the athor has an agenda against Limbaugh. I would really like to see the context within which Limbaugh has made some of these controversial statements. In particular, I'd like to see the context of the "Bloods and Crips" comment in regards to the NFL. I'm not condoneing what he said, I would just like to see how (or if it wasn't) it was relevant. As far as the sports on my mind article on Limbaugh that was posted above, he's lost my support. Maybe there is something to the fact that Limbaugh was employed by ESPN so they aren't covering it, but when he starts talking about ESPN and black people; he's lost me. Stephen A. Smith (who is no longer employed by ESPN) made similar remarks recently on one of the NBC news networks, calling the players "liars." The panalist who was on with him and the host agreed with him. While I'm not ready to call them liars, I will say that i will believe these players who say they wouldn't play for the Rams when they actually turn down a massive contract because all too often we say how money speaks in professional sports.
ReplyDeleteI think athletes sometimes shouldn't make political stands. I'd have to say it depends on the issue at hand. If it is for good then yes. But there are issues where i feel that athletes should stay out of. I think if it is a good reason then yes cause it is showing what they believe in and aren't afraid to talk about it. yes I think the athlete matters. If a big super star talks about something more people will look at it. If some bench warmer was to say something who nobody knew it would just get passed up. I think it is very different from me or any average person could make. These are people that we look up to, some as kids to even now. To hear them talk about political issues of kind we will listen to what they have to say more then the average politician.
ReplyDeleteThe thing on Rush Limbaugh on buying the team i think it is great that some of the players are taking a stand like they are. Just cause somebody has money doesnt make them right for the job. How you going to put a man in charge of a football team where most of your athletes are African American and this man has made racial comments about. There should be qualifications to be a owner not just have a lot of money. I hope the athletes stand there ground because im with them on this. By them doing this they are making everybody involed think about it and think what might happen. He might have the money but the players are the one's who bring it in.
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