As we feel the bounce of the basketball reverberating across the court or watch the football cleanly slice through the air toward its receiver, the ruthless federal agents separating families and killing American protesters rarely comes to mind. If anything, people often switch to their favorite sports channels to escape the headlines flooding their screens.
But amid the U.S. immigration crackdowns plaguing President Trump’s second term, it was only inevitable that athletes and sports organizations would come into play – not just in their own arenas, but in political ones, too. In every sport with major social platforms, it has become harder for athletes to dodge political scrutiny from the public, with fans and critics waiting eagerly for even a glimpse of their stance on the latest news.
Athletes and organizations have a responsibility to uphold their personal brand. From the clothes they endorse to the friends they make, to the way they treat fans and the media, their lives are constantly put under a microscope that magnifies the virtues and shortcomings of their public personas. Fans look up to their favorite athletes to make decisions for their own lives, even if the athlete does not hold themself accountable for their influence on others. Their political actions and beliefs widely impact sports fans’ ideologies and even politics themselves, giving them the power to change how people view society and its problems.
Historically, American sports have been a place where nationalism and politics thrive, seeing as sports like baseball and football are massive influences on the country’s culture. When patriotism became a popular sentiment in the U.S. during World War 1, baseball began adopting the national anthem as a way to spur national pride. As time went on, more sports grew to cherish the “Star Spangled Banner” during their games – so much so that it has evolved from revolutionary to a common norm in almost every American sport.
The sense of pride Americans feel in their teams and in the athletes who represent them extends beyond national sports. After World War 2 and amid the Cold War, the Soviet Union (USSR) determined international sports to be an arena for asserting diplomatic power and control over other nations. A deeply integrated rivalry that ensued began between the U.S. and the USSR in the Olympics. In 1951, the USSR was accepted to compete in the Olympics, and over the next few decades, it became an unstoppable force within the event. The Olympics became not only a tournament about sports, but a battleground for the USSR to advance its communist ideology and assert superiority over political foes. Contrastingly, the U.S. also used its platform to counter communism and affirm its own dominance. In 1980, the championship game in men’s ice hockey ended in a narrow 4-3 defeat by the American national team against the defending champions, the USSR national team. In a game that became known as the “Miracle on Ice,” a win in sports became a win in politics, too. Signs in the stands dramatically displayed political sentiments, such as one that wrote, “Beat those Commie bastards.” This excitement-stirring game became a story that ingrained itself in American and hockey history.
These are not just moments in time, but part of the culture of politics and sports in the U.S. – symbols of patriotism, activism, and shifting ideological divides.
But now, the ever-present activist culture in sports is making headlines with the rise in opposition of ongoing U.S. immigration crackdowns. In numerous sports, it has become apparent that athletes and organizations are important parts of the activism we are continuing to see today. More than that, the culture has shifted significantly in ways that underscore the internal divide the U.S. is currently experiencing. While the combination of sports and politics during the Cold War era united people against a common international foe, this country is now seeing athletes rise in opposition against the current U.S. administration. We are now living in a society where athletes, who often unite fans in patriotism and pride, are taking part in speaking against the divisions challenging this nation.
The most well-known example of this is the 2026 Super Bowl. Set in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, the nationally popular event between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots was just as much about politics as it was about football. An intense wave of activism was reignited after the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on January 24. In response, anti-ICE protests took place outside Levi’s Stadium, activists voicing chants like “no ICE, no KKK, no racist USA” as they took advantage of the event’s global popularity to voice their grievances. Within the stadium itself, one performance in particular spurred significant controversy throughout the U.S.
In a display of love, hope, and resilience, Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show performance countered the hatred and horrific actions of ICE thus far. While not outright condemning ICE’s actions, his show was embedded with political elements, culminating in a final message displayed on the jumbotron behind him: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” He became the embodiment of love conquering all, showing his audience that, amidst the tragedies and pain that ICE has created in this country, their actions can only be remedied by unity and hope. He emphasized that unity as he said, “God Bless America,” following that statement by listing all the countries in the Americas – from Argentina to Nicaragua and from Mexico to Canada.
Bad Bunny’s performance was met with cheers of approval, but also heavy opposition. President Trump shared his own opinions, slamming him for being a “slap in the face” to the U.S. and criticizing that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” Another Super Bowl Halftime performance from Kid Rock was sponsored by the right-wing conservative organization, Turning Point USA, providing an alternative for those who disapproved of Bad Bunny’s show.
But even with people in sports calling for change, there is still an internal side of sports that challenges its activist culture. In many cases, athletes are often limited to certain topics and words that they can use on global stages and with the media. A lot of the time, they are shamed for speaking out, with fans and organizations pushing them to hide their beliefs or risk social suicide.
For example, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) plays a significant role in deciding which political actions are allowed during the event. Since 1975, Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter has restricted political protests to maintain neutrality and not take away from the athletes’ accomplishments. But with this rule came the necessity to draw the line between political protests and political expression. The latest variation of the rule gives a “non-exhaustive” list of things considered political protest, clarifying how they expect athletes to act when they want to express themselves. For example, a comment during an interview for the media is considered perfectly fine, while an incident, such as a Ukrainian athlete, Vladyslav Heraskevych, wearing a helmet that depicted athletes killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, suspended him from the event.
But even with the restrictions put in place by the IOC, athletes still had the courage to speak up about their beliefs, including anti-ICE sentiments. Alysa Liu, women’s singles gold-medal winner in figure skating for the U.S., spoke out about immigration policies in the country, explaining that “I think it is really important also to notice the faults in our own government. Things are a little rough. There’s so many protests that are going on and I’ve attended. Coming from a family of immigrants, I think immigrants deserve rights.” Amber Glenn, an LGBTQ+ figure skater for the U.S. national team, spoke about how the country was facing “hard times” under the Trump Administration. She also spoke out against President Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Later on, however, she shared that she had been receiving hate and death threats from her political comments, causing her to also take a social media break.
Even amid the backlash, many still chose to use their voices to advocate for their beliefs. Speaking out against something they feel is unjust speaks to their resistance against the norms in society that have often tried to shut them down. There is power in their words, and one way or another, their truth must come out.
At the root of their words and actions should be love. What must be common about the messages they put out is not hostility, but unity and passion for building a diverse world.
Athletes and competitive sports are an integral part of U.S. culture, and they have a huge influence on the way we think and act. Their passion for their sport is inspiring, but even more so is the way they carry themselves and use their platforms for good. What better way to do this than taking a stand against injustice – showing the country and world that togetherness is the key to combating anger and distrust. Not only is this a responsibility in upholding their platform, but it is also a privilege given how much power they have to influence the minds of Americans every day. It is time for the sporting world to once again take a stance for the sake of justice today.
Featured Image Source: El Tecolote