Wherever there is a platform, there will be a place to spread a message, whether it’s a brand deal or a product. What is always prevalent yet controversial is politics.
One of, if not the biggest platforms that hundreds of millions see is that of sports, especially in the United States where it is the largest consumed media. With so many eyes on sports, it leaves an area for advertisements and messages, and in the same way, an opportunity to demonstrate a belief and protest.
“Throughout history, there are countless examples of athletes using their platform to take political stances, most of them are some of the most righteous and celebrated moments in sports history,” business teacher Russell Hill said.
With infamous past displays like Jesse Owen’s protest of Nazi Germany during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and Muhammad Ali’s protest of the Vietnam War that subsequently banned him from his passion of boxing for three years.
“Has there ever been a moment where sports weren’t political?” English teacher Paul Callahan said. “All sports participate in pageantry, showmanship and spectacle in addition to the athleticism of the athletes competing in these events.”
Trying to keep politics out of sports is nearly impossible, they are permanently intertwined as long as athletes can freely express themselves. Athletes who choose to express their beliefs take the gamble of being shunned by their fellow athletes, fans, and even the sports organization they have made their career in.
“If an athlete is inclined to discuss a policy with fans, why not? It is deeply unpopular, that’s the risk,” Callahan said.
Attempting to restrict the expression of political thought and ideas would infringe the athlete’s rights and liberties.
“I believe in the constitution and a person’s ability to voice their opinion about the things they believe,” athletic director Deondre Jones said. “Sports figures are humans too; they go through things and have life experiences.”
In recent years, it has become more frequent to see public support or disapproval of certain political ideas. Examples of the kneeling during the national anthem by Colin Kaepernick, and the protests during the 2019-2020 NBA season of players refusing to play due to developments within the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I agreed with Kaepernick’s protest, kneeling is also a sign of respect,” Hill said. “There are also countless protests done behind the scenes that don’t make it to television.”
However, with politics come varying opinions, leading to some forming disagreements with the sentiment that ridding sports of politics is a solution.
“Do I agree with all of them, no. Do I believe every athlete has the right to, yes,” Hill said. “They don’t affect the games I love to watch; they’re small gestures before and after games that don’t affect the play or outcome on the field.”
Everyone has a different outlook on political beliefs and stances, that is a right every person is entitled to. However, sports is a massive platform indulged by millions and millions.
To showcase their own cause or beliefs on the biggest stage of them all is what many athletes take advantage of, especially with all eyes on them.
“Sports isn’t apart from politics,” Callahan said. “It is one more venue for humans to interact with each other and express themselves, which is inherently a political activity.”
However, even with hearing from those with such large platforms in the sports consumed, it is important to have and form an own personal opinion.
“I hope people form their own opinions and have their values when it comes to making political decisions,” Jones said.