Refuse To Be Silent

Those of you that know me, for the most part understand where I coming from. I'm usually pretty opinionated about certain topics, but I pose the following question. As a professional athlete, should I be as opinionated or as outspoken as I am ? There seems to be a weird dynamic among the public about athletes speaking out on issues. They pay to see athletes play but do not want to hear them speak their minds or have opinions on some issues.


Recently former NY Giant wide receiver David Tyree was very outspoken about his views on gay marriage. Tyree's view and opinion of the matter is not the subject, but should he have spoken out in general is.Many individuals who follow sports are very hypocritical. They want us to be "role models", be good fathers, leaders, mentors, love our country, and stand for things. However, when the athlete speaks out, these same individuals call he or she spoiled, not in touch with the real world, and at times unintelligent. This leads me to wonder what their definition of "role model" is. If those are the labels projected on athletes then why the need to be silent and walk around emotionally enslaved ? If the athlete is unknowledgeable of the issue being discussed, by all means it should not be spoken on, but if they are, whether they lived it or researched it in some form or fashion then it is appropriate for them to have an opinion about it. 

For instance, what if Curt Flood had not spoken up for free agency in baseball, Arthur Ashe had not spoken out against South Africa's aparthied policies, or Billy Jean King speaking up for equality and women's rights. These were all critical social issues and they made their voices heard. They were not robots, they did not walk around devoid of conscious. All made themselves heard and spoke intelligently on what they believed in.


In the present day, many athletes of this magnitude do not exist. No one speaks out or has an opinion as our athletic ancestors did. Why won't Tiger or Jordan be more outspoken and opinionated openly ? Obviously as humans our personality traits are different, but at some point everyone either has a need or needs to say something at some time on some issue. So pertaining to the athlete of today, are they only concerned with contracts and endorsement deals ? Is it the scrutiny or repercussions they could face when taking the opportunity to speak out ? Or, the lack of knowledge in general. In my opinion these reasons exist, but everything an athlete says now is planned or programmed. It's almost insulting because it feeds into the "dumb jock" label which isn't always the case. 

Athletes should be able to speak out on issues sports related or not. Just like the every day working man or woman, athletes have rights to society as well. Being a professional athlete does not diminish nor take away the social contract we as humans have. That does not mean speak without substance or validity, it means having knowledge of a situation, be able to articulate it, and express it in a manner where people can understand. I'm aware some individuals lack the skills or the confidence to do this, but just like shooting jumpers, or throwing passes, it too has to be practiced. I am in favor of athletes speaking out more. I think it adds a critical and influential element to society.


"I try to be as honest about what I see and to speak rather than be silent, especially if it means I can save lives, or serve humanity." Sandra Cisneros