“Stick to sports” is one of the dumbest lines in the industry, and it is usually uttered by people who don’t want to have to defend their (at times indefensible) opinions and hope sports can be a safe space from having to do so.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr thinks that’s a bunch of nonsense, and as an outspoken advocate on social issues, he said he will continue to speak out and use his platform for good.
“If you stick to that mantra, then everybody should stick to what they’re doing, right? That means nobody’s allowed to have a political opinion,” Kerr told NBC Sports. “It just so happens we get these microphones stuck in our face and we have a bigger platform. But it’s free speech and, if you look at the history of the world, the biggest problems come when people don’t speak.”
Kerr is right: Why should someone not talk about politics just because they make their living another way? By that logic, the people deriding Kerr’s stances shouldn’t talk about basketball.
Other athletes are standing up for their rights, as well. St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler had the unobjectionable take that “any time you’re not able to see family, it’s unfortunate,” since his wife is from Iran and cannot go back to see her family after Donald Trump’s travel ban. Lots of people told Fowler to stick to sports, largely because they didn’t want to debate the pretty non-controversial idea that “it is hard to not see family.” Fowler offered up the following analysis:
https://twitter.com/DexterFowler/status/833393294268731392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What a concept!
If you disagree with athletes, that’s fine, and you can debate and criticize them if you want. But use a substantive argument, don’t just try to get them to shut up.
Yes! Steeeeve Kerrrrrrr! 🙂 FYI: Only older UA Basket-Cat fans will understand, but that’s OK.