By Piper Wright//
The phrase “stick to sports” has long been used to draw a line between sports and politics, but should that line exist at all?
In today’s sports landscape, many professional athletes are using their platforms to speak up about political and social issues around the world.
Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice is just one major example, while Muhammad Ali’s refusal of the Vietnam draft in 1967 is another.
These moments remind us that sports have always been a stage for political expression, not an escape from it.
We saw this again during the 2026 Winter Olympics, where both the U.S. women’s and men’s ice hockey teams won gold medals.
It was the men’s team’s first gold medal in 46 years. Shortly after, President Trump invited both teams to the White House to attend the State of the Union address.
A video shortly circulated of the men’s team on the phone with Trump, joking about the women’s team and referencing Trump’s claim that he “had to invite” them to avoid impeachment. The women’s team later declined the invitation.
This decision became a statement in itself, reinforcing the idea that athletes are willing to take stands publicly and unapologetically.
Figure skaters Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn also used their visibility during the Olympics to comment on immigration policy and LGBTQ+ rights, demonstrating how global sports events can spotlight issues far beyond the ice.
So, should athletes intertwine politics with sports? While many argue no, I believe they should.
Sports media are bigger than ever, giving athletes enormous influence. With such visibility comes great responsibility.
Fans often turn to sports for an escape from the stressors of the world, and I understand the frustration when political conversations enter that space. But athletes are people first and they live in the same world the rest of us are trying to escape.
As collegiate athletes, we have a responsibility to speak up about what’s happening in our communities.
We should work to create a safe environment where teammates and competitors alike feel comfortable expressing themselves.
As an athlete myself, I believe it is our duty to raise awareness about issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, racial injustice and mental health.
Expressing our feelings and concerns can help start meaningful conversations and guide the next generations of athletes toward a more inclusive future.
Sports have the unique power to unite people from all walks of life. Using that power for something bigger than a scoreboard doesn’t divide us. It moves us forward.
##
Be the first to comment