We’ve all become familiar with the phrase “shut up and dribble.” It’s the cry from the far right, designed to keep the disenfranchised discouraged about the political process. Many in middle America claim they like to keep their sports and politics separate. That feels like a cop-out. It comes across more like a passive-aggressive way to express ultra-conservatism from those who don’t care much about civil liberties for all. So, I was shocked to see a PSA about voting, sponsored by the NFL, during a football commercial break last week
Upon further investigation, NFL Votes is in its third year of operation. Given the political climate, the initiative exists to encourage more people to register to vote and to get involved. I was late to this party because I boycotted the NFL for some years in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, but this was certainly a pleasant surprise. I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t highlight the gross irony in the NFL green lighting such an initiative.
Before the NFL mishandled Kaepernick, they very much upheld the values of middle America. Even with the National Anthem being played at the beginning of all games, they maintained that they didn’t involve politics in their product. That was true until the Kaepernick kneeling scandal began in conjunction with a rash of unarmed Black people being murdered by law enforcement.
Although Kaepernick was blackballed, he did eventually reach an undisclosed settlement with the league, but the NFL knew it needed a facelift. Not only did NFL Votes come to life, but so did Roc Nation and its founder Jay Z’s involvement with the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Balance was now being asked by consumers and others in how the NFL handled their social advocacy as well as entertainment commodity.
Fast-forward to the present day. Not only do we have NFL Votes ads, but Vice President Kamala Harris has a Pittsburgh Steelers ad that went viral during Monday Night Football. A night when many of Americans are tuned into their TVs. We’ve come a long way, but this is with good reason. Like Yasiin Bey, the artist formerly known as Mos Def, says in one of his joints, “It’s amazing how we can’t be alive in no time but now.”
I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s a pivotal time. And if this scenario is dire, then the next will be even more so if we don’t vote in favor of progress and equality for all people. It’s not a mistake that a conglomerate like the NFL has even bent a bit in this regard. This moment isn’t lost on them, and it damn sure shouldn’t be lost on you.
Sports and politics have to mix from time to time because sometimes the truth needs to meet you where you’re at. Too many Americans don’t seek it and then speak from no tangible place of reference. And until Americans can think more in a way of “we,” than “me,” then they’ll have to be encouraged to be more involved by any means necessary.
When you understand the system properly, you realize that your vote does matter. But your vote and your knowledgeable engagement are necessary year-round. That’s the game! If you stay connected incrementally, you’ll see the things change that you’d like, certainly some, but it takes all of us. Be on the right side of history—for your community.
