It was a lesson learned long ago when my interest in journalism was in its infancy. A scribe well-versed in the occupation passed on his warning – ‘If you ever become a columnist, don’t include your personal opinions regarding politics or religion in what you write.’
That advice is spot-on, as those of you who take the time to peruse this page each week have your own perspective on those highly personal topics and could care less about what my views may be. That said, the collision of the January 20 events (Presidential inauguration, Martin Luther King Day, and the NCAA College Football Championship game) all combined to give people the opportunity to express their views on some heated topics all tied, in one way or another, to politics.
Six days prior to the inauguration of President Trump, the House of Representatives passed a measure to restrict transgender students from playing on women’s sports teams by a 218-206 vote. The bill bans transgender women from competing on teams consistent with their gender identity and amends Title IX, the federal education law that bars sex-based discrimination, to define sex based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
On his first day in the Oval Office, President Trump made it known his administration was in support of the House action, which was issued in response to a growing rejection of the inclusion of transgender athletes competing on women’s teams.
Since 2020, 23 states have passed laws restricting transgender athletes’ ability to participate in school sports in accordance with their gender identity. In Pennsylvania, Article 16, Section 4 of the PIAA By-Laws says, “Where a student’s gender is questioned or uncertain, the decision of the principal as to the student’s gender will be accepted by the PIAA.”
In a classic case of ‘passing the buck,’ no other detail is given. At least one Pennsylvania school district, Hempfield School District in Lancaster County, has enacted a policy that requires student-athletes to compete on a team matching the gender assigned at birth.
Thirty-nine years after President Ronald Reagan signed the bill marking Dr. Martin Luther King Day a national holiday, the observance, once a political football itself, seemed to take a back seat to the activities and media coverage surrounding the inauguration festivities.
However, as has been done since 1986, the NBA proudly continued its tradition of honoring and remembering Dr. King with a slate of eight games, including the Memphis Grizzles hosting a home game in the city where Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
The day after the assassination on the Lorraine Motel balcony, NBA star Oscar Robertson, head of the Players Association, picked up the phone. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics and Wilt Chamberlain’s 76ers was scheduled that night in Philadelphia. While there were talks among the players about not playing, the game went on as scheduled.
Robertson was determined to recognize King with a tribute and contacted Larry Fleisher, the player’s union counsel. That action started the ball rolling, leading to the NBA’s annual MLK celebration.
In the days leading up to Ohio State’s 34-23 National Championship victory over Notre Dame, the political football surrounding the college sport’s growing problems were kicked around.
The emergence and growth of both NIL (name, image, likeness) and the transfer portal have changed the college game, resembling professional football to the disgruntlement of many. Players can earn massive NIL deals before setting foot on campus, and many players simply opt to choose the school making the highest bid when it comes to their recruitment.
A lack of institutional oversight in college football has led to a growing swell of sentiment that the sport needs a college commissioner. Often mentioned for such a position is former Alabama coaching legend Nick Saban.
While not a role Saban seems eager to take, his views are reflective of many.
“People need to know this model is unsustainable. It’s not good for the players. Players need to get compensated, no doubt. But it has to be done in a way where we have a competitive balance, and that every school has the same thing. One school can’t spend $30 million for players, while another school is spending $3 million.
“It’s whoever wants to pay. The most money raised, the most money to buy the most players is going to have the best opportunity to win. I don’t think that’s the spirit of college athletics.
The Hall of Fame coach implored Congress to “get off their butt and do something.”
French economist Thomas Piketty once was quoted as saying, “Everyone is political in his or her own way.” The events of January 20 proved Piketty, a wise man!
