Staff Reports
In a world where everything from soda to shopping has tried to outwoke one another, it seems like society might finally be saying “enough is enough.” Once upon a time, the highest honor you could achieve wasn’t an academic award or a prestigious sports title; it was whether your product had the latest trending social message. Everyone from Hollywood starlets to fast-food chains wanted to ride the tidal wave of being the wokest of the woke. But the tides are turning, and traditional values are making a comeback faster than you can say “Bud Light fiasco.”
Now, instead of athletes and actors being pressed to endorse the latest political movement, folks like Fernando Mendoza, the shining star set to be the next big thing in the NFL, are proudly standing by their faith. Conversations pivoting back to traditional values, like Christianity, perplex some media, but are a breath of fresh air for those who felt overwhelmed by the relentless political overreach. We’re witnessing sports stars and celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence begin to focus on what they do best—playing their game, rather than a political one.
The media, though, equipped with trusty microphones and an unquenchable thirst for controversy, isn’t backing down easily. As if on cue, reporters pop up asking questions that don’t quite fit the venue. In this surprising renaissance of values, athletes from tennis circuits to football fields deftly sidestep politically charged landmines delivered by eager reporters. Imagine, if you will, a tennis court, a prime ground for grand slams but not so much grandstanding. Yet, here they come, peppering players with questions about world politics when all they really want to talk about is their serve.
The hilarious thing is, many of these sporting superstars are simply not biting. To see a steadfast tennis pro respond to a taunt with “I don’t think that’s relevant” has become entertainment in itself. The media might be playing tennis but getting schooled in dodgeball instead. Athletes are sticking to their sport, and even the New York Times’ most dedicated reporter is having to face the music when players just say no to his relentless push for sensational headlines.
Let’s face it, folks want to watch sports without the side dish of politics, and athletes just want to play without having to dance around divisive topics. Attempting to extract a political soundbite from a tennis star in the midst of a grueling tournament isn’t just poor taste; it’s a swing and a miss. Maybe next time, sports events will stick to what people paid for: non-stop action, fabulous skills, and a little less sermonizing. As for politics, perhaps it’s best left courtside, so everyone can finally enjoy the game.
