Latest “Stick to Sports” Commentary is Misguided and Un-American
By Ken Reed
Fox News’s Laura Ingraham is the latest talking head to tell athletes, coaches and sports journalists to “stick to sports.”
Ingraham was upset with NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant for speaking out against Donald Trump and his “leadership” style.
“Must they run their mouths like that?” asked Ingraham on her Fox News show.
“Unfortunately, a lot of kids — and some adults — take these ignorant comments seriously … Millions elected Trump to be their coach. So, keep the political commentary to yourself or, as someone once said, shut up and dribble.”
What is wrong with people like Ingraham? Do they think only talk-show hosts have the right to criticize elected officials or speak out on the issues of the day?
Do these “stick to sports” people not understand the rights and civic duties of American citizens? Is this not supposed to be a free country, home to the First Amendment, the greatest piece of government work the world has ever seen? Have these “stick to sports” folks not heard of the marketplace of ideas?
I guess not. Either Ingraham doesn’t understand any of these concepts or she doesn’t believe in them.
We need more citizens speaking out about the state of the country, and the issues and challenges of the day, not fewer.
Maybe Ingraham is just against athletes or celebrities publicly sharing viewpoints that differ from hers. Maybe she thinks all non-conservative athletes and entertainers should just go away and be quiet.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Chris Long fired back at Ingraham by pointing out all the athletes and celebrities that have been on Fox News spouting their far right views, e.g., Bobby Knight, Curt Schilling, Chuck Norris, Jon Voight, Ted Nugent and Kid Rock.
“So, Fox News folks who agree with Laura … you okay with these segments?” asked Long.
“And if you reply, ‘stick to sports,’ you should probably tune out of Fox News because they’ve got karate guys talking climate change on there. (Which I’m cool with … it’s his right.)”
Ingraham alluded to James and Durant by saying, “You’re great players but no one voted for you.”
Well, dear Laura, nobody voted for you either. It might be a blow to your ego but LeBron James and Kevin Durant have a lot more clout and influence in this country than you do.
Most importantly, they are contributing to the marketplace of ideas, just like you do every day.
The more Americans that do that and get involved as active citizens, the better this country will be.
So, keep spewing your opinions Laura. But maybe, just maybe, the millions of Americans who value the First Amendment and civic involvement will drown you out with their opinions.
A guy can hope, can’t he?
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
Sports Forum Podcast
Episode #22 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Rethinking Sports Fandom with Author Craig Calcaterra – We discuss Calcaterra’s new book “Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the Sports-Industrial Complex at Its Own Game” and explore new ways to be a fan in the year 2022.
Listen on Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor and others.
Follow on Facebook: @SportsForumPodcast
More Episodes on Apple Podcasts; Spotify; Google Podcasts; PocketCasts; & Anchor
Episode #21 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Chatting About a Broken Game With Baseball Writer Pedro Moura – Moura is a national baseball writer for Fox Sports. We discuss how and why the game of baseball is broken, what factors caused it, and offer a few thoughts on how to “fix” a great game.
Episode #20 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Coaching Youth and High School Sports Based On What’s Best for the Athlete’s Holistic Development – We chat with long-time youth, high school and college basketball coach Jim Huber.
Episode #19 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Capturing the Spirit of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League with Anika Orrock – We discuss the hoops AAGPFL women had to jump through to play the game they loved as well as the long-term impact and legacy they have in advancing sports opportunities for girls and women.
Episode #18 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Talking about the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and the Lia Thomas Controversy with Nancy Hogshead-Makar – Hogshead-Makar is a triple gold medalist in swimming, a civil rights attorney and CEO of Champion Women.
Episode #17 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Talking Sports With Legendary New York Times Sports Columnist Robert Lipsyte – We chat about Lipsyte’s amazing career and some of the athletes he covered.
Media
"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
Books