Sports figures who could thrive in world of politics
Before Election Day, we look at some athletes and coaches with the popularity to win office.
In honor of Election Day, some sports figures who could excel running campaigns and governing the people.
LeBron James
The Lakers forward and part-time TV producer was politically active long before he came to Hollywood. He’s used his platform to press for change with the Trayvon Martin case, Donald Sterling racism saga, Michael Brown verdict and death of Eric Garner. That’s carried over into his TV career; he’s co-produced the docuseries “Shut Up and Dribble.”
The three-time champ has a unique ability to engage with the community, evidenced by the summer opening of his I Promise School for at-risk children in Akron, Ohio. James, who endorsed Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016, also hasn’t been afraid to publicly criticize President Donald Trump.
“He has an acute sensitivity to shining a light in dark places,” Rev. Jesse Jackson told USA TODAY in 2017 about James. “He embraces that responsibility despite the risk. Athletes with greatness, who show authentic manhood, assume that risk. Muhammad Ali assumed that risk — for social justice. Now LeBron is, too. His genius goes far beyond the court.”
Gregg Popovich
The Spurs coach has been one of Trump’s harshest critics from the sports world. He called Trump “a soulless coward” and publicly bashed him for showing a “childishness” and “gratuitous fear mongering” style of leadership.
An Air Force Academy graduate who served five years of active duty in Eastern Europe and Soviet Union, he’s always had a fascination with politics. Steven Koblik, a friend and history professor at Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, the Division III college where Popovich once coached, told The Washington Post in 2017 that Popovich “could talk books or international affairs or the (Ronald) Reagan White House for hours.”
Serena Williams
The off-court endeavors of the 23time Grand Slam singles champ speak volumes. In conjunction with her charity work, Williams is a fashion icon who embraces her identity as a new mom. Williams, who grew up a Jehovah’s Witness (which calls followers to remain politically neutral), said in 2016 she does not vote because of her religion.
Tim Tebow
The 2007 Heisman winner has been popular since he played at Florida, then the NFL and now as a minor leaguer for the Mets. A conservative who grew up the son of Baptist missionaries and was in an anti-abortion Super Bowl ad with his mother, he was asked about the possibility of running for public office in 2016 by The New Yorker: “I want to do whatever I feel can have the greatest impact and touch the most people. If one day that is the political realm, then that’s something I’d consider.”
Peyton Manning
While the retired Super Bowl champion quarterback said he has “zero interest in being a politician” in September, he still has the popularity to win a campaign. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, RTenn., said in September that “if Peyton Manning ran for any office in Tennessee, he could win by a landslide.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The retired NASCAR driver has a huge fan base. He isn’t afraid to wade into divisive topics, quoting a speech by John F. Kennedy to address NFL players kneeling during the anthem: “All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests ... Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK.”
Steve Kerr
The Warriors head coach and former Bulls player has used his platform to voice displeasure with the current White House. Before his NBA career, Kerr’s father, Malcolm, was shot to death by the Islamic Jihad in 1984 while serving as president of the American University of Beirut. Kerr has been a strong supporter of gun control and used his public platform to rant about gun laws after school shootings.
Malcolm Jenkins
The Eagles safety has used the NFL as a vehicle for change in a variety of ways, including raising his fist during the anthem to protest against social injustice and police brutality. The 30year-old Pro Bowler created the “Let’s Listen Together” initiative in which he discusses social issues with Upper Darby (Pennsylvania) superintendent of police Michael Chitwood.
Aly Raisman
The 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist called out USA Gymnastics for not doing enough to stop sexual abuse by former team doctor Larry Nassar. Raisman’s chilling and brave testimony as a sexual abuse survivor contributed to Nassar being sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison. Raisman and the other survivors were awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Raisman’s grit and determination in the athletic world could carry over to her post-Olympic life, perhaps in a political capacity.
Adam Rippon
The figure skater was thrust into the public eye in February during the Winter Games as one of the first openly gay athletes to compete in the Olympics, where he won bronze in the team event. But it was his political statements that kept him in the national spotlight. He voiced concern to USA TODAY about Vice President Mike Pence being chosen to lead the U.S. delegation at the Games, citing what he perceived to be his support for anti-gay legislation and policies. At a Boston political rally in October, Rippon said, “I’ve always thought one day I would run for office.”