Boomer Esiason Tells Critical Team USA Olympians to 'Pipe Down' and Focus on Sport
Avid Donald Trump supporter and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason has expressed frustration with the numerous Team USA athletes who have been using their Olympic platforms to criticise the political direction of the United States. Throughout the current Winter Olympics, multiple American competitors have voiced opposition to policies and national sentiments since Trump's return to the White House for a second term.
Olympic Athletes Using Their Voice
Several prominent Team USA members have made their political views known during the games. Figure skater Amber Glenn has publicly expressed support for fellow LGBTQ+ community members, while curling star Rich Ruohonen has decried Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in his home state of Minnesota. Additionally, skier Hunter Hess has explicitly stated that he "doesn't represent everything that's going on in the US," distancing himself from certain national policies.
Esiason's Blunt Response
During a recent episode of his popular radio show "Boomer and Gio" that aired on Tuesday, Esiason delivered a straightforward message to these vocal athletes. The conversation was sparked when co-host Greg Giannotti asked whether Esiason believed Team USA competitors were genuinely "happy to represent America" after watching them win team gold in figure skating over the weekend.
"They seem to be happy to represent America," Esiason responded. "Not everybody is, but everybody should just pipe down and just do their sport and play for our country and respect the flag and respect everything that's going on."
This blunt commentary reflects Esiason's longstanding position against athletes using their sporting platforms for political expression. His history includes strong criticism of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose 2016 kneeling protest against police brutality Esiason labelled an "embarrassment" while calling the player "severely under-informed."
Presidential Backlash and Athlete Defense
The political commentary from Team USA athletes has not gone unnoticed by the White House. President Trump specifically targeted skier Hunter Hess on his Truth Social platform, posting: "U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn't represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the Team, and it's too bad he's on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
This presidential criticism prompted fellow Olympian Chloe Kim to defend Hess's right to express his opinions. The two-time Olympic snowboard gold medalist, whose parents are immigrants, stated: "My parents being immigrants, this one hits pretty close to home and I think in moments like these it's important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that's going on and I think I'm really proud to represent the United States."
Kim continued: "The US has given my family and I so much opportunity but I also think we're allowed to voice our opinions on what's going on and I think we need to lead with love and compassion and I would love to see more of that."
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between athletic representation and political expression during international sporting events, with prominent figures like Esiason advocating for a separation between sport and politics while athletes increasingly use their platforms to address social and political issues.
