In a fiery takedown on National Review, contributor Kevin Downey Jr. called out what he described as blatant hypocrisy in the sports world, declaring, "I don’t recall conservative athletes going abroad and criticizing Obama or Biden." His remarks came amid backlash against WNBA star Angel Reese and other athletes who used international platforms during the 2024 Paris Olympics to lambast former President Donald Trump, framing their critiques as bold stands against American "fascism."
Downey's commentary zeroed in on Reese's viral moment at a post-game presser in France, where she accused Trump of undermining women's rights and democracy, drawing applause from European reporters. Similar outbursts from U.S. soccer players and track stars painted the MAGA movement as a global threat, with social media amplifying the rhetoric back home. Critics like Downey argue this isn't principled activism but selective outrage, conveniently ignored when leftist icons held the White House.
Historical parallels underscore Downey's point. During Barack Obama's presidency, no high-profile conservative athletes staged overseas protests against drone strikes, the Iran deal, or Benghazi—despite ample controversy. The same held for Joe Biden's tenure, even as Afghanistan's chaotic withdrawal and border policies fueled conservative ire. Instead, right-leaning figures like NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers voiced domestic dissent quietly, avoiding the spectacle of foreign soil as a megaphone.
The disparity reveals deeper fault lines in America's culture wars, where media gatekeepers cheer progressive athletes as heroes while branding conservative voices as divisive. Outlets like ESPN and The New York Times lavished praise on Reese's "courage," yet swiftly condemned past gestures like Tim Tebow's faith-driven knee-bends or Curt Schilling's Trump support as polarizing. Downey posits this as engineered narrative control, ensuring left-leaning activism dominates the sports spotlight.
As the 2028 election cycle looms, Downey warns that such patterns could alienate fans weary of politicized games. With Trump back in the White House, expect more athletes to test boundaries abroad—potentially forcing a reckoning on whether free speech applies equally or bends to ideological winds. For now, his critique serves as a reminder: true consistency in athletics might just be the ultimate game-changer.
