It might be a surprise to some, but throughout the US Election campaign there were plenty of politically engaged sports stars who publicly campaigned around the issues and the state of the nation in a manner that displayed far more statesmanship than the politicians.
While traditionally sports stars and brands have largely stayed out of the political limelight, this election has been different as more high profile athletes (especially from the NBA and the NFL) have been front and centre in the Trump, or rather the anti-Trump, campaign.
The President-elect may (or may not) have had support from New England Patriots star player Tom Brady (something seemingly questioned by Brady’s wife Giselle Bundchen) and coach Bill Bellichick, but lined up against him was an entire team of engaged, impassioned and articulate athletes.
Lebron James, for example, very publicly endorsed Hilary Clinton,
[Exclusive] — @KingJames: Why I'm endorsing @HillaryClinton for president https://t.co/WLMcbeOxs0 pic.twitter.com/cLQG3YpPvm
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) October 3, 2016
and post election tweeted: ‘Don’t lose a bit of faith’.
While San Antonio Spurs veteran coach Gregg Popovich spoke publicly and at length about his frustration in reaction to the election of Donald Trump.
‘I’m still sick to my stomach, and not basically because the Republicans won or anything, but the disgusting tenor, tone and all the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic,’ he said ahead of the Spurs’ home game against the Detroit Pistons.
‘And I live in that country where half the people ignored all that to elect someone. That’s the scariest part of [the] whole thing to me. It’s got nothing to do with the environment, Obamacare and all the other stuff. We live in a country that ignored all those values that we would hold our kids accountable for.’
Gregg Popovich on the 2016 election: pic.twitter.com/b3No8F7rhK
— Hamed Aleaziz (@Haleaziz) November 12, 2016
While Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press that Trump was ‘openly and brazenly racist and misogynistic’.
‘I have problems with thinking that this is where we are as a country. What we have done to minorities … in this election is despicable. I’m having a hard time dealing with it.’
Even the NBA itself sent a post-election email from commissioner Adam Silver to its corporate offices worldwide reiterating its values and its commitment to equality and diversity.
While NFL stars, led by Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman (and pretty much the entire Seattle Seahawks squad) were also eloquent and engaged.
Baldwin penned an eloquent and considered 26 tweet perspective on US society in the aftermath of the election: starting with
When I was younger, I was fascinated by what it meant to be the President of the United States. A leader of the people and for the people.
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) November 14, 2016
and ending with.
I want my children to live in a world/country that is better than what we currently live in. And I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) November 14, 2016
Perhaps empowered by their growing social power and decreasing equality, this election saw a growing number of athletes offering reasoned and principled perspectives on the issues.
It seems that the days of Nike pitchman Michael Jordan’s famous quote about his lack of political engagement and activism – ‘Republicans buy shoes, too’ – are over.
While almost all European sports stars – with a few rare exceptions such former NBA player John Amaechi
Trump’s banter is sexual abuse: so what is locker room chat really like? https://t.co/xNMVP96H5Z pic.twitter.com/E9aW9FoeMJ
— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) October 10, 2016
and more surprisingly former England striker and MOD presenter Gary Lineker
The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What's happening to our country?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 18, 2016
– stay clear of politics, in the USA there is clearly an increasing level of athlete activism and engagement.
