Each election season, influencers and athletes use their social media platforms to endorse candidates. Whether athletes endorse a candidate or athletes take a stand on social issues, their influence can affect the view of their fans.
According to the White House Historical Association, the White House has held various celebrations and has been engaged in sports throughout history. The closest athletes get to U.S. politics is when they are invited to meet the current president at these ceremonies to be recognized as champions.
Although this is a great accomplishment for athletes across the country, it has also sparked controversy. For example, there have been some athletes such as the Bulls’ former shooting guard Michael Jordan and the Steelers’ former linebacker James Harrison who both declined invitations to the White House, despite it being a tradition. Jordan explained that he was unable to go as he was attending vacation with his family, while Harrison thought of the invitation to be “not that big of a deal.”
Regardless of the reason, these incidents reflect the influence athletes have on the media.
While athletes have the same rights as anyone in the nation, their high profiles place them on a pedestal. This prompts fans to call out athletes when they choose to or choose not to speak out on politics.
Athletes still have the same right to speak on political and national issues by using their platform to influence their followers. Depending on what they are advocating for, an athlete supporting a politician or social message has an impact in not only the sports world, but also at a political and national level.
In an article, Douglas Hartmann, professor and chair of sociology at the University of Minnesota, told Al Jazeera that athletes have every right to support or talk about politics from their point of view.
The article also explained that in 2016, Colin Kapernick, former NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and civil rights activist, kneeled during the national anthem to show his support for the Black community and the injustice to minorities in the judicial system. This was one of many instances in which athletes gave their opinions on national issues that brought awareness to ongoing problems that everyday citizens speak of or are affected by.
In 2020, point guard of the Dallas Mavericks and social activist Kyrie Irving protested getting the COVID-19 vaccination, according to an article published by The Hill. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, center and power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks left the court during the playoffs.
The 2024 election has shown athletes and coaches openly supporting certain candidates.
According to an article published by Black Enterprise, Harris has opened a campaign called “Athletes for Harris” where she gained athletes’ support including NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit and other athletes.
“I have known Vice President Harris for over 25 years, and you can count on her to deliver on what she says she is going to do,” Johnson said in the article. “She’ll be a president for all people, no matter the race, language, sexual orientation or party line.”
According to an article published by USA Today, Truwit said in a statement, “I just got back from the Paralympics a few weeks ago and now more than ever feel the importance of unity and unifying voices. Vice President Harris is a vote for kindness and inclusivity and unity.”
Several athletes have publicly shown their support for Trump’s reelection including former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, former MLB outfielder Johnny Damon and other athletes.
Brown confirmed in an interview with OutKick that he would endorse Trump in the upcoming presidential election, as stated in the article by Tribune.
“Yeah, I’ll endorse Trump,” he said.
According to an article written by Ok Magazine, Johnny Damon, former MLB outfielder, confirmed his support for the former president on the social media platform X by writing “Trump 2024” with a U.S. flag emoji.
Whatever side athletes choose to support, their voices and platforms make an impact in this age of social media during the presidential race.
