Stick to Sports?

[Hassan Darkside]

So as I'm sure you all are aware, it seems that the nation has become increasingly polarized politically and socially over recent years, to the point that it's bled into sports.

We've seen athletes, coaches, leagues as a whole all make political statements. Coaches like Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr openly discuss their beliefs, Rex Ryan stumped for Trump, NFL players kneeled during the national anthem, etc, etc. Sports journalism has begun to evolve to look at events through the lenses of politics or race or gender more than ever. Even your sports anchors that typically try to avoid derailing their shows have taken the opportunity to offer spiels on things happening in the country or world.

So out of curiosity, do you guys feel that athletes, pundits, coaches, sports journalists should stick to talking about their sport or do you feel they should continue to use their platforms to voice their concerns or beliefs?

[NDAlum]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I would prefer them stick to sports. I'll be in the car listening to sports radio and turn it off whenever political or racial issues get brought up.

I'm tired of it.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Stick to Sports?

They can talk about whatever they want. Luckily the sports shows I listen to only mention politics if it directly involves something with the sport.

[Scott]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I'm fine with it, they're human after all. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion.

[Speedy]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I don't have issue with the athletes.

I do get annoyed with the media and how they either twist words, focus on the wrong context, or drone on continually about it until I'm fed up with hearing it.

[kehlis]

Re: Stick to Sports?

Personally I want to hear more athletes talk about their take on whether or not the world is flat.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Stick to Sports?

"Stick to sports" is a defense mechanism and I abhor it.. Use your platform in whichever manner you please. I'd rather the sports media ackowledge real life instead of pretending sports is some sort of utopian oasis in which everything and everyone is apolitical. You can't accurately cover sports/athletes if you gloss over stories that involve the confluence of sport and politics/social issues.

[TMagic]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I seriously do wish athletes would speak up more.

Us saying something doesn't hold the same power as LeBron speaking out about an issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LambertandHam]

Re: Stick to Sports?

Athletes and coaches don't exist solely in the realm of sports, so why not if they're passionate about an issue? My dislike for it is when it takes over sports media via ESPN and others.

[PVarck31]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I think its fine they speak on politics but it has to go both ways, and all opinions must be respected.

But I will say I prefer my sports talk radio to stick to sports for the most part.

[Bullit]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I am kind of two minds on this one.

I feel everybody has a right to whatever opinions, beliefs or feelings they have on any subject. Everybody has a right to express these feelings and to stand up for these things in any peaceful way they feel is necessary.

But I also just get so tired of the superiority complex that athletes, movie stars and various other "celebrities" have in doing so. You ability to catch a ball, play a game, perform others work on stage and screen, host a tv show does not make your beliefs or opinions any more valid than any others opinions or beliefs.

I know it is hypocritical of me. But I see a group of "average" people protesting or standing up for what beliefs they feel strongly about and I am like good for them. Then I see an athlete, celebrity or whatever making some statement at an award show or press event/talk show and I am like "o lord just shut up already"

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Stick to Sports?

Of course they have a right to voice their opinion.

But I wish they didn't, sounds hypocritical, but I'm so tired of all the incessant garbage news.

I go to sports to escape the world's bull****, because I literally can't handle anymore of it, it's just being shoved down our throats left and right.

Sent from my HTCD200LVWPP using Tapatalk

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I seriously do wish athletes would speak up more.

Us saying something doesn't hold the same power as LeBron speaking out about an issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But isn't that the problem, young people looking to Tom Brady or LeBron for political counsel, instead of doing unbiased research themselves?

If you vote for someone because your favorite celebrity or athlete leans a certain direction. And many will do that.

That is pathetic.

Sent from my HTCD200LVWPP using Tapatalk

[PeoplesChampGB]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I feel it should be just like it is at about every job.

If you are at work, keep politics out of it.

Out in public or on social media, I could care less.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: Stick to Sports?

I can't say enough how much I love them speaking up. A lot of people want an escape but what's occurred to me recently is that life is that escape. You can go to work, do your job, come home, watch ESPN until 11, go to sleep, wake up and do the same thing over again. I think we as a society have made it so easy to avoid political talk that I think the pendulum has swung the other way, I don't think people need an escape so much as an entrance. Kids grow up with the ability to completely tune out things that actually matter while telling themselves they only care about what the players do on the court. Why do we care about that? That's the part that actually doesn't matter. To me, if a kid hears LeBron's take on the issues and gets interested, that's perfect. I don't trust parents as a whole to teach their kids this stuff (what I mean by that is I know not every household is having political conversations) so if LeBron and Melo have to do it, so be it.