Ex-NFL star encourages American Olympians to 'pipe down' and 'respect the flag'
Boomer Esiason called for American Olympians to focus on their sports and respect the flag instead of voicing political opinions while competing in Italy.
Boomer Esiason, a former NFL star, expressed his views on the behavior of American Olympians during a recent radio show appearance. He encouraged athletes to concentrate on competing and representing the United States with pride, rather than engaging in political discourse. Esiason's comments followed instances where Olympians had shared their feelings about the current political climate, which he perceives as inappropriate while they are in the spotlight of international competition.
During the segment, Esiason reflected on his observations of Team USA's figure skating team, noting their apparent happiness to represent the country. This observation served as a contrast to comments from other athletes who expressed mixed feelings about competing for Team USA, suggesting a divide in attitudes among the athletes. Specifically, skier Hunter Hess mentioned experiencing mixed emotions about representing the U.S. at this time, highlighting the broader tension between personal beliefs and national pride that some athletes are grappling with.
Esiason's remarks underscore a recurring theme in sports where athletes are criticized for their activism or political statements while competing on behalf of their country. His call to