As the election year ends and the inauguration approaches politics has been a reourring topic in everyone’s mind throughout the past months. This is a time in America when eligible people can come together to speak their minds and opinions on what they think is a good fit for our country and what will improve it.
All American citizens over the age of 18 are allowed to place a vote on who and what will make us benefit and this includes a lot of athletes. Athletes are some of the world’s most famous and well-known names, and people of all ages look up to them. Many of those who chose to come out and use their platforms to spread their thoughts on their political views.
Figures that people look up to, especially how children look up to athletes, in my opinion, should not use their platform to speak on their political standpoints. Yet many people still come out and try to convince their fans what side to vote on.
In the article by Sports Illustrated published on November 1, 2024, “Six Female Husker Athletes, Led by Jordy Bahl, Featured in Political Ad,” talks about how a group of six Nebraska University athletes make a promotion video for a few laws being voted on in Nebraska. They shared their personal opinion on the topics and then tried to persuade the viewer to cast their vote alongside them.
One of these athletes was Jordy Bahl, one of the best softball pitchers in the nation, who I know millions of little girls look up to each season. I believe that college athletes should choose to keep their political standpoints private because it changes people’s viewpoints on the still-young athlete and the school.
In the New York Times article published on February 5, 2021, “Should Athletes Speak Out On Social and Political Issues?” Naomi Osaka spoke on how Lebron James was the first athlete to catch her eye on speaking out on issues. It was either a post or a political-themed shirt to warm-ups, if he had an opinion, he would find a way to bring it to the open. “LeBron has the loudest voice and the biggest platform, and he used them to protest systemic racism, inequality, and police brutality, all while his game continued to flourish in the face of unprecedented protests.”
Even as an older professional athlete, I believe you need to be careful about what you choose to wear and say because, even though it’s not morally right, it could change people’s thoughts on you including how refs score the game. On the other hand, it is his right to use his voice to speak out on what he thinks is right.
In the end, while a lot of athletes use their right to talk on political issues I believe it is the smartest option to keep it quiet and off the court. It could cause biased refs and small kids to be influenced by what they see their favorite athletes saying.