Works both ways.
http://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/08/nfl-colin-kaepernick-protest/497945/
Athletes have the ability to bring important issues to the national stage. Kaepernick’s actions have even brought on a debate surrounding “The Star Spangled Banner,” as well, with several authors bringing up the song’s ties to slavery. It shows how powerful a moment it is when professional athletes speak up and take political stands.
Maybe the author and all these athletes can go with Babs