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Should athletes, in a team sport, support political issues? I say no, because it affects the fans perception as they root for a team. Now a tennis player (or golf, trakc, etc.) I am fine with expousing their political beliefs. But I think sport is a reprieve from the great issues, large or small in our life... and fans shouldn't have to worry about rooting or not rooting because an indivdual is promoting a candidate or cause that they do not agree with. I'm all for athletes giving back to their communities. But I think unless an athlete is retired, they should not be in political campaign ads. What are your thoughts?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/sport ... r=homepage

Sure -- anyone can and should support political beliefs. But anyone who puts any stock in an athlete's politics, or an actor's politics or a musician's politics, etc., is in deep trouble. They're no different than the rest of us -- everyone has the right to whatever opinions and beliefs make sense to him or her. The only difference is that they have more fame because of their occupations. Who cares what they think?

I'm beginning to see more and more retired athletes getting involved in politics. Darrell Green has shown up a few Republican fundraisers. John Riggins has Sen. George Allen do picks on his radio show (remember John played one year for George's dad). But the Big question would be this: What would a candidate do if they were endorsed by Dennis Rodman or T.O.?

Of course, athletes should be ALLOWED to voice political speech-it would probably be unconstitutional to forbid it except in limited circumstances such as certain governmental employees. Should they is another issue. BTW one of the most prominent races in the United States is former Tennessee Volunteer and Washington Redskin QB Heath Shuler's run for the House of Representatives as a Democrat-not to mention Eric Dickerson's run as a Republican in Indiana.

I agree with you Stallion - they should have views and they should feel free to express them, whether they're asked about them or not. But I also agree with ClassOf81, too - anyone who takes seriously the political opinions of Hank Blalock or Mark Cuban or Bill Parcells or Mike Modano or even the great Matt Doherty is foolish at best.

I guess I should refine my original post... "Support" was a poor choice of words... I mean to say... do commercials during their championship game (or any game) supporting a candidate or a voting issue. Or going out on the campaign trail after winning a championship (see the man with the bloody sock).

I mean it muddies the water... their support/their whole team's support.

If a candidate is friends with say, Peyton Manning and he is running for office in Mississippi, do you think, he might ask his buddy to appear in an ad with him? Would Peyton accept, who knows?

BTW one of the most prominent races in the United States is former Tennessee Volunteer and Washington Redskin QB Heath Shuler's run for the House of Representatives as a Democrat-not to mention Eric Dickerson's run as a Republican in Indiana.

Don't forget Lynn Swann runing for PA gov as a Republican.

Congressman Tom Osborne.

EastStang wrote:If a candidate is friends with say, Peyton Manning and he is running for office in Mississippi, do you think, he might ask his buddy to appear in an ad with him? Would Peyton accept, who knows?

Vote for John Doe, and score a touchdown for the state of Mississippi!