Stephen Curry, Kamala Harris and the reentry of political activism into the stadium

PARIS – For half an hour in a packed auditorium Thursday, Team USA men’s basketball players Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant answered questions about the Olympic experience. They talked about the opening ceremony on the Seine, excursions into the Olympic Village, the competition Team USA is expected to run through.

Finally, I decided to ask Curry a question that I knew was near and dear to his heart – and to his body politic. I asked about his friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris was thrust into the political center stage Sunday when President Joe Biden made the stunning announcement that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. Shortly after, Biden said he supported Harris as his successor.

The vice president was born in Oakland, California, served as attorney general of California and was elected U.S. senator. First and foremost, Harris is a lifelong Golden State Warriors fan.

On Thursday, Curry said he planned to return the support.

“It’s a big, big, deal to say the least,” Curry said. “She represents the Bay Area. She’s been a big supporter of us and so want to get that energy right back to her.”

Curry said that he was just excited, “knowing obviously we’re representing our country here and this is a very monumental next couple of months for our country and the direction that we’re headed. So just excited for the journey ahead for her.”

What I find promising about Curry’s unflinching support is that his words — or perhaps the presidential campaign — will reactivate a pro athlete community that largely and lately has been dormant.

With no life-and-death issue to react to and with the preoccupation with personal brands breeding caution, many athletes have gone underground. The upcoming presidential election is a potential tsunami that hopefully will activate the community.

Four years ago, that community, especially the NBA and the NFL, became a powerful public force in supporting, if not shaping, protest. WNBA players famously took down a Republican senatorial candidate players found problematic. Protests by NFL players who knelt during the playing of the national anthem became so powerful that then-President Donald Trump scolded team owners, calling them to keep their players in line.

As much as I advocate for political activism and messaging among athletes, this time around there won’t be only basketball and football players bringing politics into the stadium. Some MLB players, by their own field gestures, have already thrown their hats into the ring in support of Trump, though they denied that’s what they are doing.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls had to explain the gesture he made Sunday when he appeared to mimic Trump’s reaction to an assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania on July 13. After hitting a double in against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Walls raised his fist and appeared to mouth “fight, fight, fight,” a clear allusion to Trump’s gesture immediately after being shot on his right ear.

Walls said the gesture was not meant as an endorsement of the former president, but of course it was.

On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated a victory after a home run by outfielder Alec Burleson. Burleson’s home run trot and the Cardinals’ dugout celebration appeared to show Burleson and many of his teammates cupping their ears with one hand while raising their opposite fists in the air. Another Cardinals player, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, also made the gesture as he rounded the bases after hitting a home run an inning later.

Burleson is a DJ and Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter called the celebration an “inside joke,” with Burleson explaining that the cupped hand and arm up was intended to mimic the movements of a DJ.

Right.

The upcoming presidential campaign, with Harris likely at the center, will likely be so filled with misogyny and racism that it will be impossible for anyone to stay on the sideline — including athletes.

On the other hand, it’s all good. I look forward to all pro athletes using their platforms and visibility to support a candidate and promote a cause. This should lead to some very robust clubhouse/locker room discussions.

The upcoming presidential campaign, with Harris likely at the center, will likely be so filled with misogyny and racism, that it will be impossible for anyone to stay on the sideline — including athletes.

“A very interesting time for our country for sure,” Curry said. “The fact that President Biden gave her an endorsement and Vice President Harris is trying to bring her energy to this campaign, and hopefully, she’s on the ticket winning the election.”

Harris visited Team USA training came in Las Vegas recently before the events of earlier this week. Especially in a campaign where the young, the undecided and the disinterested could help decide the election, well-informed athletes like Curry can be valuable assets.

“Hopefully this is a great way to do our part to continue unifying the country,” Curry said Thursday. “Sports brings a lot of people together, and for her in this moment, knowing what’s ahead, it’s just all about positive energy and optimism, knowing how divided our country is right now.”

The NBA season will be gearing up in October. The NFL will be in full force in November. Everyone will be choosing sides. After a period of dormancy, political activism will hopefully reenter the stadium.

On Thursday, USA men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr made his preference clear. “Kamala Harris is a great candidate and I’ll support her,” he said.

I’m looking forward to athletes making a welcome reentry into the political arena.