‘Shut up and dribble’

Once again, a member of the mainstream media has insulted the intelligence of a world-famous athlete, and in doing so, earned the ire of athletes everywhere. In response to comments about social and political issues in a video interview of LeBron James, Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham told the NBA All-Star to – among other things – “shut up and dribble.” This, in what is supposed to be a paragon of free speech and democracy. The subtexts in her comments are laced with social and possibly even racial issues that, obviously, have not been resolved. James replied with a graphic that spelled out “I am more than an athlete”.

It is even more ironic that all this took place the week of the NBA All-Star Weekend is even more telling. With the new format, James has been in the news even more than usual, picking teammates from both coasts for the main event. He also has some choice words for US President Donald Trump. 

Let’s tally the probable issues that stung the pride of international athletes around the world, and look at the relevance to the Philippine setting. First of all, the perception of athletes as “dumb jocks” is terribly outdated. How many times do they have to prove that they are more than overly large people who are overly gifted with physical skills? How many more of them have to become doctors, politicians, coaches, educators, businessmen, entertainers (another profession still looked down upon by some American conservatives)?

Firstly, anyone can speak their mind in a democracy. That’s but fair. But everyone can also be subject to critique, more so if it’s done properly. How does Ingraham know that “someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball” knows nothing about what goes on in the world outside the basketball court? Does being a broadcaster automatically make you smarter than a professional athlete? Or did it feel good to try to take one of the most recognizable faces on the planet down a notch? Why single out James, when he wasn’t even the only NBA superstar in the interview in question?

In the Philippines, athletes are similarly held in high esteem, but in what seems like the opposite manner. Filipino fans have an accepting, “why not?” attitude, particularly towards athletes who enter show business. Perhaps being in television adds a rose-colored tint to their personalities. In the Philippines, athletes, particularly basketball players, are perceived to be more savvy, better people, more handsome trend-setters. Rightly or wrongly, they may even consider themselves experts in fields they haven’t prepared for. Some unwisely spend their money, lose on investments, but the only real difference between them and the ordinary citizen is that they have – to some degree – more money. 

Unlike in the US, Filipino media don’t seem to pressure athletes to have an opinion on social issues. A large part of it has to do with the history of racism, which is still a concern in the US, the first and the biggest melting pot in the world. Also, the majority of basketball players in the NBA come from some of high-profile educational institutions also known for great athletic programs, some from military schools. That history of military involvement from the Korean War on has also made Americans more vocal. Add to this the Asian culture of keeping face and non-confrontation, and you have a more passive, tolerant nature pervading society.

It also makes athletes more protective of their status quo, and afraid of rocking the boat. Their political beliefs may clash with the general public’s, their teammates’ or worst, their employers’. There’s no need to broadcast their beliefs and take an undue risk. Very few pro Filipino athletes in general volunteer their opinions on controversial issues.

Ironically, it is the amateur athletes, national athletes who’ve spoken out against injustice in recent years. Sports like swimming, karate, ice skating, chess, dragonboat and others have been at the center of controversy the last decade. National athletes, whose careers seem to be perennially at risk are, paradoxically, more sensitive to these matters. Unfortunately, they also have less access to mainstream media.

And it’s only their corrupt bosses who are telling them to shut up.