10 Star Athletes Who Aren't Afraid to Talk Politics

An old adage teaches us that politics and religion are two topics that should not be addressed in public.

The reason for this, of course, is that people feel so passionately about these subjects. You may have noticed a sign at a local bar that informs customers that discussions about politics and religion are forbidden at that establishment. The last thing a bartender or bar owner wants to deal with is two patrons coming to blows all because one of them is liberal and the other is conservative. 

Some professional athletes have, over the years, elected to ignore this advice. These famous and recognized individuals are given forums to speak their minds on political and social issues, and many have and will do just that in the months, weeks and even days leading up to the 2016 United States presidential election. 

Those who are not fans of the New England Patriots may already see quarterback Tom Brady as a heel and as a player who has (allegedly) bent certain National Football League rules during his career. Brady's candidate of choice for the 2016 election may, depending on your political views, make him an even larger villain in your eyes. 

At the other end of the political spectrum is Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Ronda Rousey. Rousey publicly endorsed a Democratic candidate in the fall of 2016 during an interview. She also, during that discussion, explained how she had voted in previous elections. 

Some readers out there would probably prefer to keep sports and politics separate. That's understandable, but all would do well to realize that athletes have opinions and emotions just like anybody else. 

We may not always agree with what athletes have to say, but it would be a lie to say we aren't interested in hearing their views. 

Terrell Owens

Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, who still hasn't technically retired based on what he told WIP-FM's Mike & Ike Show (h/t CBS Sports), has been a showman since entering the league back in 1996. Along with being one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the position, Owens made headlines and drew controversy with his many celebrations. Who among us will forget seeing Owens doing the "Wing Flap" while with the Philadelphia Eagles or watching as Owens dumped a fan's popcorn into his helmet?

Knowing his personality as we do made it not at all surprising that Owens decided to accept a role on a season of the television program The Celebrity Apprentice. Owens was ultimately fired by show host Donald Trump after the NFL star was, according to Mary Colurso of AL.com, less than stellar while working on the reality TV show.  

That interaction with Trump did not deter Owens from having fond feelings for the Republican presidential candidate. In fact, Owens told TMZ Sports in June 2015 he was backing Trump.

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T.O. -- who appeared on 'Celebrity Apprentice' with Trump earlier this year -- says he gained a TON of respect for Trump during their time on the show and thinks D.T. could do great things for the country as the man in charge. 

'This may be what the country needs and Trump ... he’s a guy who won’t put up with B.S. and has what it takes to change how government is run.'

'With that being said, Trump ... YOU'RE HIRED'

Owens adds, 'Plus, as the president, Trump would be able to say he knows me and he likes me ... LOL!'

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has not been shy about voicing his opinions on numerous topics over the years. In November 2014, Jacobin magazine published an article in which Abdul-Jabbar called for the compensation of college athletes. The Huffington Post, Time and the Los Angeles Register (via Editor & Publisher) are just three additional outlets that have published works written by Abdul-Jabbar. 

It was back in December 2015 when the National Basketball Association legend and all-time great player wrote a piece for Time about presidential candidate Donald Trump. Abdul-Jabbar left little doubt about what he thinks of Trump, comparing the businessman and presumptive Republican nominee to terrorist group ISIS and to "The Beast" mentioned in Biblical scriptures. 

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One of my favorite poems is 'The Second Coming' by W.B. Yeats, in which he describes, in a chillingly obtuse and mystical way, a second coming — not of Christ, but of something much darker and sinister:

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,/Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?

When I read the description of the beast, it’s “gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,” I can’t help but think of Trump and his cynical strategy of using misinformation, half-truths and deception in order to gain access to a position that should only be held by those who would be repulsed by that strategy.

Indeed, what rough beast slouches toward Washington to be born?

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That wasn't the first time that Adbul-Jabbar has bashed Trump or other Republican candidates. He hit out at Trump in a piece for the Washington Post this past September. Adbul-Jabbar also criticized Ben Carson on HuffPost Live in September 2015 when Carson suggested that a Muslim should not be president. 

Tito Ortiz

Just like the previously mentioned Terrell Owens, former UFC champion and current Bellator competitor Tito Ortiz was once on an edition of Celebrity Apprentice. Also like T.O., Ortiz was not a massive hit in the boardroom or among viewers, and he was eventually fired by Donald Trump. 

The icon of mixed martial arts has clearly changed his views on Trump over time. A YouTube video uploaded by the account Hugo Avila in September 2015 showed Ortiz discussing Trump. Ortiz, who has been known to carry a Mexican flag over his shoulder before fights, joked that he would vote for Kanye West before he would ever vote for Trump, in part because of Trump's views on immigration. 

Not so fast, though, as Ortiz has apparently had a change of heart. 

Ortiz appeared on CBS Houston SportsRadio 610 program In the Loop in January 2016, and the fighter spoke with Nick Wright and John Lopez about the upcoming election. Ortiz praised Trump for being a successful businessman, and he also explained that he was in favor of some of Trump's views on immigration and on combating domestic terrorism. 

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It’s just not Mexicans that we have worry about. It’s the Muslims, it’s the radicals, that come in that have the opportunity to come in from [Mexico] to our country and do the thing with terrorism that’s hindering our country. We shouldn’t be afraid to walk around and look over our shoulders and some guy has a bomb in his pocket or something stupid.

I think it needs to be taken care of and I don’t believe the President we have now did not do that job. I think, in my opinion, that Trump can help a lot better.

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Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was thrust into activism after he learned in 1991 that he was HIV positive. Along with campaigning to educate the masses about HIV and AIDS, Johnson has been a proud and outspoken supporter of the Democratic party. 

The former player endorsed Democrat Phil Angelides for Governor of California back in 2005. Johnson then aligned himself with Hillary Clinton in 2007 after Clinton launched her first presidential campaign. During a rally in December 2007, Johnson, per USA Today, praised Clinton and her experience while speaking with fellow Clinton supporters. 

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'The more I practiced the better I became,' said Johnson, who won five NBA championships with the Lakers. 'That's why I support Senator Clinton, because she is the only one with 30 years of experience.'

Johnson said he has been good friends with the Clintons since they were in the White House and advised him on how to bring economic development—such as stores and movie theaters—to impoverished neighborhoods across the country.

He said that's a big reason he has endorsed the senator.

'When I looked at her track record...she has done an amazing job,' he said of the former first lady, calling her 'a woman of action and not just words.'

"

Johnson is still backing Clinton up through the spring of 2016. 

He took to Twitter in April 2015 to publicly endorse Clinton for president (h/t Latinos Post). In one of his tweets, Johnson stated that Clinton "will be a great President for the American people and she will make sure that everyone has a voice!" 

Johnson found himself in somewhat of an awkward moment when TMZ Sports caught him leaving a Trump hotel in February 2016. Don't worry, Clinton supporters, as Johnson told TMZ Sports that he is not changing allegiances. 

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Magic's endorsement is a HUGE deal in the political world ... so when we got him leaving a Trump hotel in NYC we wanted to know if he was kinda thinking about making America great again. 

The answer is NO ... We didn't even get our question out before Magic assured us that he's still in Clinton's corner and there doesn't seem to be anything that can change that.

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Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett is a Pro Bowl defensive end who has not ducked away from spotlights during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. The Super Bowl champion who is one of the best players at the position is, as are many defensive players around the league, known to celebrate after sacking quarterbacks.

Bennett's celebration mimics former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar "Ravishing" Rick Rude, something that has earned the player attention from fans and from reporters such as Danny O'Neil of ESPN 710 out of Seattle.

Bennett made it clear in December 2015 that he is supporting Bernie Sanders for president. While speaking with reporters in the days leading up to Christmas, Bennett was seen wearing a Bernie Sanders hat and also a button that had the name of the Democratic candidate.  

One reporter asked Bennett about the Sanders apparel and about the player's political views. Bennett, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, told the media why Sanders was his preferred candidate. 

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I just like a lot of the things that he talks about, social injustice, the things about climate control and just a lot of different things that he does. I just think he’s an honest guy and one of the main people that really has a platform to really tell the truth to the people. And I think that’s what people need to hear is the honest truth and not so much hate from like Donald Trump and people like that and not so much about war but improving the people and improving the economy and just living good.

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Another interesting tidbit from that day was Bennett explaining that the subject of politics is one that is often discussed in the Seattle locker room. One may assume that a coach would be displeased with such a polarizing topic hovering inside of his locker room. Then again, the Seahawks have been arguably the most  successful franchise in the NFL over the past three years. 

Maybe those players are onto something. 

Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach may be the greatest overall player, male or female, in the history of U.S. Soccer, a champion who has seen it all and done it all on the international stage. Wambach has won gold at the Olympics. She has helped the U.S. achieve World Cup glory and earned FIFA Player of the Year honors during her legendary career. 

Wambach has also been outspoken off of the pitch. 

In an interview with Steven Goff the Washington Post, the U.S. star criticized FIFA because 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup matches would be taking place on artificial turf. Wambach, who has been openly gay for years, appeared in a Super Bowl commercial this past February in which she sarcastically remarked that a MINI Cooper was a "gay car." 

It is also known that Wambach is a supporter of Hillary Clinton. 

She linked up with actress Lena Dunham to campaign for Clinton in New Hampshire this past January. As a guest on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports (h/t the Daily Caller), Wambach explained that sees Clinton as an influential person for young women. 

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Well, I think when you think about 10-year-old girls looking up and trying to figure out what they want to do with their life, I like to think that, that 10-year-old girl can look up and see a woman in the Oval Office, see somebody that looks like them, see somebody that they could envision themselves being like.

That’s such passion, that’s such motivation for me, and clearly, that’s not the only reason why I want Hillary to be in office, but I just think about that 10-year-old girl and I want her to be able to have that opportunity to look up and to see the most powerful person on the planet and in fact, being her gender.

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Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley has not only been a personality who has not been afraid to tackle controversial issues. He has also embraced such topics. Remember that Barkley was the man responsible for that infamous "I am not a role model" television commercial during his playing days. 

Sir Charles has not quieted down since becoming a TV analyst who covers the NBA and also college basketball. 

Barkley participated in interviews with multiple media outlets in August 2015, and the 2016 election was a topic that arose more than once. In each of his appearances, including one on the ESPN Radio program Mike & Mike, Barkley stated he was supporting Republican John Kasich (via Politico): 

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Right now I like John Kasich, the governor of Ohio. He’s the only person that I’m really paying attention to right now, to be honest with you.

Ninety-nine percent of the time I vote Democrat, but there’s not a Democrat in the race that I like. I would like to see [U.S. Sen.] Elizabeth Warren or the mayor of San Antonio. Those are the only two Democrats that I would vote for.

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While speaking with Michael Smerconish of CNN last August (video above), Barkley explained he liked Trump personally but that he was not backing Trump for the election. Barkley also mentioned that Governor Kasich was the only candidate he could support. 

Ronda Rousey

November 2015 was quite the month for UFC star Ronda Rousey. Rousey, then an undefeated champion, defended her title against a woman who was relatively unknown to those who don't actively follow MMA except when Rousey is fighting. That unknown woman happened to be Holly Holm, who dominated the action and knocked Rousey out at UFC 193. 

Days before the world was left stunned by Rousey's demise in the cage, Maxim published an article that touched upon the fighter's political views. Rousey, per Chris Wilson of Maxim, is willing to support only one of the two top Democratic candidates. 

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I’m voting for Bernie Sanders, because he doesn’t take any corporate money. I don’t think politicians should be allowed to take money for their campaigns from outside interests.

If he doesn’t win against Hillary, then I’ll probably vote for a third party again. To be honest, in 2012 I was against both candidates and so I just picked any third party because I thought if more people voted for third parties then they’d have to take third parties seriously.

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Nobody should doubt that Rousey will keep her word and vote for Sanders or for a different candidate if Sanders does not get the nod at the Democratic National Convention. Rousey told Wilson that she voted for comedian and actress Roseanne Barr in 2012, in part because Rousey was "unimpressed" with the larger presidential campaigns that had been run. 

LeBron James

LeBron James entered the NBA with as much hype hovering over him as any player has ever had at the start of his career. James has not disappointed even if he has not yet brought a title to Northeast Ohio and to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Along with playing in the NBA Finals six times as of March 2016, James is a two-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP. 

James may not be the most outspoken individual when it comes to political matters. He has, however, been willing to get involved and speak his mind on multiple occasions.

James was, as explained by Dan Devine of Yahoo Sports, one of several NBA personalities who were used to promote the Affordable Care Act in the spring of 2014.

In December of that same year, James, Cleveland teammate Kyrie Irving and members of the Brooklyn Nets wore shirts with the phrase "I Can't Breathe" on them before a game. 

Chris Strauss and Nate Scott of For The Win explained: “'I can’t breathe'” were the last words of Eric Garner, who died in July after a confrontation with an New York Police Department officer. The incident was caught on tape and sparked national outrage."

James spoke with reporters such as Dave McMenamin and Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com after that game, and the future Hall of Famer explained why he wanted to wear the shirt. 

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It's just for us to make a [statement] to understand what we're going through as a society. I've been quoted over and over about what's going on as far as it's more of a notion to the family, more than anything. Obviously, as a society we have to do better. We have to be better for one another. It doesn't matter what race you are. It's more of a shout out to the family more than anything, because they're the ones that should be getting all the energy and effort.

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As Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com wrote about last October, James has been more about addressing issues than backing candidates when the player has spoken out about political matters. We shouldn't expect to see him raising Donald Trump's hand at the Republican National Convention that will take place in Cleveland this coming summer. 

Tom Brady

It is easy to understand why somebody who is not a fan of the New England Patriots would dislike quarterback Tom Brady. Brady has helped make the Patriots a dynasty over the past decade-and-a-half. He has won the Super Bowl on four occasions and may not be done winning titles yet. Brady has wealth, a supermodel wife and a legacy as one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. There is also that whole Deflategate story that won't go away. 

Does the fact that Brady supports Donald Trump make him more or less likable for you? 

Trump's official Twitter account had a habit of posting pro-Brady tweets throughout the 2015 NFL regular season. Brady did not hide that he kept one of Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats in his locker. When asked about Trump this past September, Brady remarked that he hoped Trump would win the nomination and the election (see Complex News video above). 

"That would be great," Brady said. "There'd be a putting green on the White House lawn, I'm sure of that."

Brady was again asked about Trump in December, this time during an appearance on the WEEI program Dennis & Callahan. The QB stopped short of endorsing his supposed friend. 

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Can I just stay out of this debate? Donald is a good friend of mine. I have known him for a long time. I support all my friends. That is what I have to say. He’s a good friend of mine. He’s always been so supportive of me—for the last 15 years, since I judged a beauty pageant for him, which was one of the very first things that I did that thought was really cool. That came along with winning the Super Bowl. He’s always invited me to play golf. I’ve always enjoyed his company.

I support all my friends in everything they do. I think it’s pretty remarkable what he’s achieved in his life. You’re going from business, kind of an incredible business man and then a TV star, and then getting into politics. It’s a pretty different career path. I think that is pretty remarkable.

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