Fernanda Roldan. Peninsula 360 Press
On November 3, the U.S. presidential election for the 2021-2024 term took place. The race between the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and the Democrat, Joe Biden, transcended to the world of sports, where athletes from different backgrounds incited the vote, both in favor of Trump remaining four more years in the White House, and in favor of a change in the Oval Office.
In the NFL, Tom Brady and Drew Brees, quarterbacks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints respectively, spoke out in favor of Republican continuity, with the Florida team's ?12? even declaring himself a close friend of the current president.
After racial discrimination caused several gridiron players to raise their voices and force the league not to punish those who kneel when the U.S. national anthem is played during games, Drew Brees expressed that, under his values and beliefs, he could not support those who do not respect the national symbols, which led to the rejection of figures of his team, mainly those who support the movement. Black Lives Matterand the label of a racist character.
Former quarterback Brett Favre also positioned himself as a friend of Donald Trump. ?My vote is for what makes this country great, freedom of speech and religion, the second amendment, hard working, tax paying citizens, police and military. In this election, we have freedom that everyone should respect. For me and these principles, my vote is for @RealDonaldTrump," he said.
Likewise, Jack Nicklaus, former golfer, expressed his interest in the government's continuity for the next four years. He tweeted that he had cast his vote in favor of the reelection of the current president.
And although under this administration the movement that aims to highlight racism and police brutality against African-Americans has gained strength, boxer Mike Tyson also showed his support. Through the manifesto: "If I can convince 200,000 people or more to vote for Trump, I will do it".
On the other hand, the team of athletes supporting the Democratic Party is mainly made up of African-American NBA stars, led by LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers, who told The New York Times: "We want something better, we want change in our community. We always say we want change and now we have the opportunity?
James has been a constant critic of the abuses and the lack of conditions to guarantee racial equity in the United States, and even proposed, along with other colleagues, a boycott of the league's playoffs on August 26, when they demanded justice for the oppression of African-American citizen Jacob Blake by white police officers.
Other followers of Joe Biden who are eagerly awaiting the Democrat's victory are Magic Johnson, NBA legend, and Megan Rapione, women's soccer icon and world champion, who on social networks rejected Trump, calling him a "white nationalist who promotes hate".
The call of sports, athletes and the great focus of attention that they represent in the United States, can mark the course of an extremely even election, which, from the courts, has been polarized to reinforce the link between politics and critical thinking in the protagonists.
