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American skier Hunter Hess set off a predictable firestorm in Milan when he admitted to feeling “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, saying wearing the flag doesn’t mean he endorses everything happening at home. For hardworking Americans who still believe in national pride, that kind of half-hearted patriotism is a slap in the face to teammates and the millions who cheer from the stands.
That blunt truth is why Mike Eruzione, captain of the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team, didn’t mince words when he blasted Hess for his comments and questioned why anyone would put on the USA uniform if they aren’t prepared to represent the country. Eruzione’s rebuke is not empty nostalgia — it’s a reminder that wearing the stars and stripes is an honor, not an excuse to lecture the rest of the nation from a press podium.
Conservatives and everyday patriots weren’t the only ones offended: the reaction quickly spread across social media and into the political sphere, with prominent voices calling Hess out for turning the Olympic stage into a platform for grievance. When public figures and athletes treat representing America like a conditional endorsement, they diminish the sacrifices of those who came before and cheapen what the flag stands for.
Let’s be clear: the Olympics exist to celebrate athletic excellence and national unity, not to serve as a soapbox for political complaining. If you’re a skier, ski — leave the commentary to the commentators and the ballot box to voters. Americans who bleed red, white, and blue expect competitors to honor the flag by competing with heart, not by airing broad-brush critiques while standing under the banner.
Eruzione’s words carry extra weight because he’s a living symbol of American resolve, and his disgust with politicizing a global sports stage should resonate with anyone who values tradition and respect. Patriotism doesn’t demand blind agreement with every policy, but it does demand gratitude, humility, and a willingness to represent the nation with dignity rather than disdain.
As the Games continue in Milan, the proper response is not to celebrate contrition but to reaffirm standards: wear the uniform with pride or step aside for someone who will. Hardworking Americans expect our athletes to compete for the love of country and the people who supported them, not to use the spotlight to lecture the rest of the nation.
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