For over a century now, athletes have been the one of the world’s favorite spectacles, not only performing on a field or court but playing an especially crucial role in sports culture. From Michael Jordan to Michael Phelps to Mike Tyson, athletes have not only shaped the sports they play, but also pop culture as a whole.

However, when censorship and suppression clash with these players’ influence, an entirely new level of importance is brought to keeping their voices heard.

The freedom of expression and speech among athletes has been an uphill battle against censorship since the inception of broadcasted sports. Its barriers and restrictions are constantly being broken and changed as time goes on.

In the present, as the world goes through tense times due to widely publicized crises as well as political and social issues, many influential figures, including athletes, have felt encouraged to voice their opinions on controversial matters. Some of these actions have been met with condemnation, leading to athletes being silenced and even punished by the leagues or franchises they play for.

In an attempt to remain neutral in the eyes of the media, sports franchises lose sight of how important it is for players to use their influence to spread uplifting messages.

Such was seen on a wider scale in 2016, when former National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who played for the San-Francisco 49ers, performed a silent protest by taking a knee during the national anthem before the team’s final preseason game, protesting police brutality and racial injustice in America.

This act of protest led to major controversy, with the NFL ultimately blacklisting Kaepernick during the 2016 offseason, leaving him unsigned to any of the 32 teams in the league. Two years later, the NFL voted to create a policy requiring all players to stand during the national anthem, or stay in the locker room while it is played, with hefty fines for not respecting the rule.

The act of punishing athletes in this manner is harmful, as it strips them of their fundamental right to express their opinions. Freedom of speech is one of humanity’s core liberties, and silencing athletes simply because they take advantage of their large platform goes against the very principles of democracy.

Just like any other individual, they should have the ability to voice any non-hateful thoughts, whether it be on social issues or personal beliefs, without fear of censorship from leagues that benefit from their talent.

The struggle athletes endure when they try to voice their beliefs is far from a new concept. For decades, athletes have been fighting to send important messages and use their broadcasted platforms to spread awareness on a multitude of issues.

After running the 200-meter race in the 1968 Summer Olympics, gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos raised their fists to represent Black power, while wearing beaded necklaces to symbolize lynchings in America, as well as black socks with no shoes to represent the poverty in the country that disproportionately affects minorities.

Within hours, both Smith and Carlos were condemned for their actions by the International Olympics Committee, and two days later they were suspended from the U.S. team and sent home, while being ostracized and vilified in American media for their cause.

Another aspect of corruption is added when one considers the hypocrisy of the businesses and franchises that punish these athletes. They often denounce social actions, but will adopt these causes to support later on as it benefits their image, once again reinforcing the idea that corporations care more about what profits the company than what benefits society.

Corporate censorship can envelope even more than political messaging. Athletes are also often reprimanded for their personal expression, whether that be through their culture, style or other creative outlets. In 2005 for example, the NBA would implement a dress code to improve the league’s image, stating athletes and coaches had to wear business-casual attire when attending games and other NBA-related events.

Rules like this, however, were only made to spite players who broke social norms in the way they presented themselves in the NBA, such as Allen Iverson, who was well-known for using elements from streetwear and hip-hop culture in his fashion during this time period.

Athletes should not have to choose between their career and their right to free speech. Censoring their expression limits not only their personal freedoms but also the potential for sports to be a platform for important social change.

Whether it is Kaepernick taking a knee for racial justice or other athletes expressing themselves creatively, their voices are powerful tools for sparking necessary conversations. It is crucial that athletes are allowed to use their platforms to stand up for what they believe in, without fear of punishment or retribution.

This story was originally published in the March 2025 Eagle Eye print edition.