This may be true. I have not paid much attention to many of the "professional" sports since Colon Krapernik first took a knee during the National Anthem.
After Steven Smith voiced a few opinions that were not woke, some people started talking about Smith running for office.
Reminds me of Michael Avenatti. He became a Drive-By Media darling for helping Stormy Daniels against Trump. The Drive-By actually promoted Avenatti running for office
Today, the only thing Avenatti is running from is Bubba in the prison yard.