The same voices that once scolded athletes to “shut up and dribble” now appear to have no issue blending sports and politics—as long as it aligns with their views. For years, athletes like Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James, and Megan Rapinoe were told to stay in their lane, that politics had no place on the field or court. Yet today, when sports figures or franchises speak out in support of conservative causes or nationalistic rhetoric, those same critics are suddenly silent—or even applauding. It’s a glaring double standard that exposes the real issue: it was never about keeping politics out of sports, but rather about silencing perspectives that challenge the status quo. The selective outrage reveals a deeper discomfort with athletes using their platforms to speak truth to power—unless, of course, that power serves their narrative. In 2025, sports and politics are more intertwined than ever, and the crowd that once demanded silence now seems all too comfortable with the noise—when it echoes their own beliefs.