Athletes should not voice their political opinions because, a former athlete assures them, America is the greatest country on Earth.
That was the self-contradictory message that Fox Sports 1 soccer pundit Alexi Lalas chose to deliver during halftime of Atlanta United’s first-ever match Sunday night. After going over the highlights of an electric first half for MLS’ newest addition, the FS1 crew dedicated the remainder of halftime to Lalas’ rant. Asked for his thoughts on the recent decision by the U.S. Soccer Federation to require “All persons representing” the U.S. to “stand respectfully” during the national anthem before games, the former U.S. men’s team star spoke with a passion against athletes speaking out.
Lalas approached Alex Jones levels of red-faced flag-wavery as he argued that playing for a national team is “a privilege,” “an honor,” and “a choice.” He added that “all U.S. national team players should be required” not only to stand respectfully but also to put their hands over their hearts and sing during the national anthem. It’s worth noting that, while the recent ruling mandated “respectful” standing during the anthem, Lalas was the first to suggest mandatory singing and heart-covering.
Although Lalas admitted that his sacrifice, or lack thereof, “pales in comparison to the men and women in our armed forces … and some who have paid the ultimate price,” that didn’t stop him from drawing the comparison in the first place, nor from suggesting that it is unpatriotic and somehow offensive to remain silent during the anthem. He wrapped up in surprisingly ominous fashion, saying “Just because we live in the land of the free doesn’t mean that we are free to do anything that we want.”
Lalas owes his celebrity entirely to his time with the men’s national team, and he continues to capitalize on that celebrity by voicing his opinions publicly. He must understand on some level that his monologue was full of oversimplification and hypocrisy.
If he didn’t think that Soccer People should comment on politics, he could have used the halftime show to talk about Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls. Instead, he furiously agreed with the USSF’s ruling, a response to the actions of the women’s national team’s Megan Rapinoe. It was Rapinoe who knelt silently during the national anthem at two matches last year, following the lead of the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick, but Lalas was the one adding fuel to the fire.
Just like Rapinoe, Lalas decided to express his political views in the performance of his duties. He absolutely has that right. What’s disappointing is the arbitrary and self-serving line he drew between those who should and shouldn’t do so.
Why should current national team members be made to keep their political grievances to themselves while former players-turned-commentators are free to use their platforms for nationalist bombast? Should the USSF require its players, who are no more representatives of the U.S. Government than KFC workers are employees of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to refrain from criticizing the government? And since when is it un-American to call out injustice and criticize the powers that be?