Sometimes it feels like separate issues mixing is more like two cars colliding at an
intersection as opposed to foods mixing in the blender for a potentially delicious meal.
intersection as opposed to foods mixing in the blender for a potentially delicious meal.
Sports and politics colliding is not a new concept despite what the previous two years have
suggested. In case you’ve been vacationing in the Bahamas for two years, first of all
congratulations. Second of all, the sports and politics mixture has intensified in large part
because of National Anthem protests at NFL games. The movement began with former San
Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The NFL recently changed its rule stating
that players can stay in the locker room while the National Anthem is being played but must
stand if on the field. Yours truly shared thoughts on the matter in a previous column:
suggested. In case you’ve been vacationing in the Bahamas for two years, first of all
congratulations. Second of all, the sports and politics mixture has intensified in large part
because of National Anthem protests at NFL games. The movement began with former San
Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The NFL recently changed its rule stating
that players can stay in the locker room while the National Anthem is being played but must
stand if on the field. Yours truly shared thoughts on the matter in a previous column:
http://vincedadamo.blogspot.com/2018/05/just-few-things-to-unpack-from-nfl.html
The sports and politics mixture has reached another level of discontent. College and pro
sports championship teams are now forgoing the tradition of visiting the White House at an
increasing rate. The tradition started in the 1960s but became more annual in the 1980s under
Ronald Reagan. On an individual basis, players of certain teams bypassed joining their
teammates in visiting the White House under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
sports championship teams are now forgoing the tradition of visiting the White House at an
increasing rate. The tradition started in the 1960s but became more annual in the 1980s under
Ronald Reagan. On an individual basis, players of certain teams bypassed joining their
teammates in visiting the White House under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Without starting a political debate, one would be hard pressed to find a more polarizing
president than current commander-in-chief Donald Trump. He outraged some NFL players,
about 70% of which are black, by launching various verbal and social media attacks.
president than current commander-in-chief Donald Trump. He outraged some NFL players,
about 70% of which are black, by launching various verbal and social media attacks.
The NBA champion Golden State Warriors were not issued an invitation last year mostly in
lieu of head coach Steve Kerr and various other players speaking out against Trump. The
Warriors, who won their second straight NBA Title on Friday in a 4-0 sweep of the
Cleveland Cavaliers and third in four seasons, are not likely to be visiting the White House
after this title either. Kerr and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have been
among the many outspoken critics of Trump.
lieu of head coach Steve Kerr and various other players speaking out against Trump. The
Warriors, who won their second straight NBA Title on Friday in a 4-0 sweep of the
Cleveland Cavaliers and third in four seasons, are not likely to be visiting the White House
after this title either. Kerr and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have been
among the many outspoken critics of Trump.
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have already announced they will not be going.
The previous year, only 34 New England Patriots players attended the White House ceremony.
Among the champions who accepted Trump’s invitation are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Houston
Astros and University of Clemson football.
The previous year, only 34 New England Patriots players attended the White House ceremony.
Among the champions who accepted Trump’s invitation are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Houston
Astros and University of Clemson football.
Even though athletes making political statements make for hot headlines, there are a growing
number of people that have become turned off by their outspokenness so much so that ratings
have decreased as well as sponsorship. There are those who have no problem with athletes
speaking out politically and there are those who contend when it comes to sports and politics,
the waters should not meet.
number of people that have become turned off by their outspokenness so much so that ratings
have decreased as well as sponsorship. There are those who have no problem with athletes
speaking out politically and there are those who contend when it comes to sports and politics,
the waters should not meet.
When I hear the phrase “stick to sports,” I often believe it is a euphemism for “I don’t agree
with you so shut up but preach on if I agree.” While I agree that athletes have the same First
Amendment rights as civilians, I believe their protests and political statements should have a
time and place. That place is not on company time. The average American cannot make
political statements on company time and expect to keep their job so why should NFL players
be allowed to take a knee during the National Anthem while in uniform and not expect
repercussions? Plus, with the new rule they have the option of staying in the locker-room.
with you so shut up but preach on if I agree.” While I agree that athletes have the same First
Amendment rights as civilians, I believe their protests and political statements should have a
time and place. That place is not on company time. The average American cannot make
political statements on company time and expect to keep their job so why should NFL players
be allowed to take a knee during the National Anthem while in uniform and not expect
repercussions? Plus, with the new rule they have the option of staying in the locker-room.
Not to mention, they have the same outlets away from their professional domain as civilians
including but not limited to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc to share
their views and numerous other ways to make a difference in their community. As far as the
sports events, however, that’s where the waters of sports and politics should not meet. I tune
into the game to watch the game, not see millionaires protesting during the National Anthem.
In terms of interviews, I’ll concede that people are going to say what they are going to say or
tweet what they are going to tweet.
including but not limited to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc to share
their views and numerous other ways to make a difference in their community. As far as the
sports events, however, that’s where the waters of sports and politics should not meet. I tune
into the game to watch the game, not see millionaires protesting during the National Anthem.
In terms of interviews, I’ll concede that people are going to say what they are going to say or
tweet what they are going to tweet.
I hearken back to Sept. 11, 2001, seeing the horrific images and videos of terrorist attacks.
The constant images were too much after a while. I needed something different, like seeing if
Barry Bonds was going to hit home run No. 73. If I want to enjoy sports, I should be able to
go turn on sports channels and click on sports websites to enjoy just that without having all
this political mumbo jumbo mixed in with it.
The constant images were too much after a while. I needed something different, like seeing if
Barry Bonds was going to hit home run No. 73. If I want to enjoy sports, I should be able to
go turn on sports channels and click on sports websites to enjoy just that without having all
this political mumbo jumbo mixed in with it.
Plus, I think we've muddied the waters when it comes to what's a sports story and what isn't.
Just because an athlete or a coach is involved doesn't make it a sports story, and we do it a
disservice when trying to sell it as one.
As for White House visits by champions, I have my own idea. Though I have never visited
the White House, I would be intrigued despite my cynical views on politics. Honestly, politics
would have nothing to do with my intrigue. My parents and I visited Washington D.C. in 1989
as two of my sisters were living there at the time working for a California Congressman.
They worked in the United States Capitol building. I remember being 17 years old having the
opportunity to meet Kansas Senator Robert Dole. My parents and I were walking down the
hall and the name Robert Dole on the door placard. He graciously invited us into his office
and we had a picture taken with him. It felt great because it showed a human side not seen in
the public eye.
I did not vote for Hillary Clinton or Trump, I voted for someone else entirely but that is
another matter entirely. You can have an opinion on whether or not they should visit the White
House but it’s not for anyone to make rules to decide if a team or person should visit the
White House. I believe it should be up to the individual person and nor should they be
disparaged for their choice. Regardless of that choice, they have the right to make it. If they
do visit the White House, that should not be taken as a sign that they do or do not support
Trump.
Just because an athlete or a coach is involved doesn't make it a sports story, and we do it a
disservice when trying to sell it as one.
As for White House visits by champions, I have my own idea. Though I have never visited
the White House, I would be intrigued despite my cynical views on politics. Honestly, politics
would have nothing to do with my intrigue. My parents and I visited Washington D.C. in 1989
as two of my sisters were living there at the time working for a California Congressman.
They worked in the United States Capitol building. I remember being 17 years old having the
opportunity to meet Kansas Senator Robert Dole. My parents and I were walking down the
hall and the name Robert Dole on the door placard. He graciously invited us into his office
and we had a picture taken with him. It felt great because it showed a human side not seen in
the public eye.
I did not vote for Hillary Clinton or Trump, I voted for someone else entirely but that is
another matter entirely. You can have an opinion on whether or not they should visit the White
House but it’s not for anyone to make rules to decide if a team or person should visit the
White House. I believe it should be up to the individual person and nor should they be
disparaged for their choice. Regardless of that choice, they have the right to make it. If they
do visit the White House, that should not be taken as a sign that they do or do not support
Trump.
No comments:
Post a Comment