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Sports, politics and the American way

 
Basketball analyst Charles Barkley called the law "unacceptable'' and said events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl, which was last held in Indianapolis three years ago, should be removed from states with such laws. [Getty Images]
Basketball analyst Charles Barkley called the law "unacceptable'' and said events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl, which was last held in Indianapolis three years ago, should be removed from states with such laws. [Getty Images]
Published April 2, 2015

For most, the purpose of sports is to offer an escape from the stresses, problems and monotony of everyday life.

Sports are a distraction — an avenue to forget about the real world and the hardships that come with it.

Many would prefer that sports and politics never mix, but sports clearly can play a major role in social change. In fact, sports often is at the forefront of righting, or at least bringing attention to, some of our country's injustices, abuses and inequities.

Muhammad Ali protested the war in Vietnam. Track stars John Carlos and Tommie Smith stood up for African-American rights at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Rams players held up their hands to object to the shooting death of a teenager in Ferguson, Mo.

And, once again, sports is at the center of a controversy in this country.

Last week, the state of Indiana passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which states that government cannot substantially burden a person's ability to follow their religious beliefs. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence argues that the law is to protect people of faith and is in no way designed to discriminate against anyone. Opponents say it could allow business owners to legally discriminate against gays and lesbians. Under the act, a florist, for example, could refuse service for a same-sex marriage.

Indiana is not alone. Nineteen other states have a form of a religious freedom bill (in 1998, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act). So why is Indiana's situation such a hot-button topic?

Because the men's Final Four basketball tournament is this weekend in Indianapolis. Because next year's women's Final Four is in Indianapolis. Because the NCAA's headquarters is in Indianapolis.

And because the sports world is speaking out.

NCAA president Mark Emmert said, "It's important to us because we're an employer here in this state. But most importantly … it strikes at the core values of inclusion and diversity.''

Basketball analyst and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley called the law "unacceptable'' and said events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl, which was last held in Indianapolis three years ago, should be removed from states with such laws. Reggie Miller, who spent his 18-year Hall of Fame career with the Indiana Pacers, slammed the law, as did NASCAR, saying in a statement, "We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance.''

Pat Haden, the athletic director at Southern Cal who has a gay son, is boycotting this week's college football playoff committee meetings in Indianapolis.

Asked about Indiana's law Wednesday, UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma said: "How small-minded do you have to be to care that much about what other people are doing? Life is hard enough as it is trying to live your own life. What do you care about what other people are doing as long as it doesn't affect you? Hiding behind this religious (junk), that is the most cowardly thing I've ever heard of.''

So, should athletes get involved in such a fight?

Absolutely. Not only does sports have the right to get involved in political topics, I would argue it has an obligation.

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Sports are a microcosm of our society. Sports blend athletes from all types of social and economic and religious backgrounds. It mixes, races, political views and sexual orientations. But there's more to it than that. Athletes are among our country's most visible and recognizable citizens. They have a platform, a voice. At best, they can spark much-needed change. At the very least, they can make more people aware of the issues facing our nation.

If a few words from an athlete can make a difference or at least make us think, where is the harm in that?

Now, should athletes be speaking out on this particular issue? Should they get involved in a discussion about a polarizing topic such as religion and homosexuality? Yes, even if it gets messy.

There are those who fully support Indiana's law because they believe their faith is clear in regards to homosexuality. Far be it from anyone to tell another how to practice religion, but it does seem as if any law that allows for discrimination against any law-abiding citizen is something that goes against everything this country stands for. It also goes against common decency.

But even if you argue with that, even if you think one has the right to refuse service to those different than you, then you also must accept the right of leagues and stars to avoid doing business with you. Maybe that means the NCAA should no longer hold Final Fours in Indianapolis. Maybe that means the end of NASCAR's Brickyard 400. Maybe that means colleges should refuse to play any teams inside of Indiana's borders.

Ultimately, you also must accept that leagues and athletes have the right to speak out against laws and practices that they see as unjust or unfair.

Many reading this want sports stars to stay out of politics. "I watch sports to get away from politics,'' they say. They will be bothered that this column is even on the sports page, arguing that the sports page should be strictly about batting averages and power plays and who the Bucs are going to draft.

Most of those who say that, I'm guessing, don't really have an issue with sports and politics colliding. Their issue is hearing a sports star give an opinion that is different from theirs and using the sports-and-politics-shouldn't-mix excuse as a reason to muffle those opinions.

One could always choose not to listen to Barkley or Miller or NASCAR. One doesn't have to read such stories in the sports section. That's their right. But to suggest that Barkley or Miller or NASCAR or your local sports page doesn't have the right to speak out about politics is about as anti-American as one can get.

Everyone has a right.

Even sports stars.