If you think the vast majority of high profile athletes are supporting Barack Obama, you haven’t been talking to their agents.
(Barack Obama: Bears Packers Fan!)
From on-the-record media reports leading up to the election, I don’t recall too many athletes who didn’t say they supported Barack Obama. But off the record, there are apparently plenty of pro athletes who are voting McCain in order to protect their exorbitant salaries from an Obama tax hike.
NFL Agent Gary Wichard to the PALM BEACH POST: “They all talked to me: ‘Man, we’re going to get killed with Obama’s tax increase.‘”
The fact that most McCain supporters on at least one NFL team are taking cover from the media was all but confirmed by a Miami Dolphin.
Dolphins wide receiver Greg Camarillo on his teammates’ reticence to publicly go against Obama: “I think we have a lot of closet Republicans in the locker room. Due to income of a lot of people, they want to vote Republican to spare their own income. But they won’t admit that openly in the locker room.”
Overall, I would guess endorsements by sports figures are running 25-to-1 in favor of Obama over McCain. And when an athlete has supported McCain in public, a potential tax hike by Obama is usually a primary reason.
Seahawks Tight End Jeb Putzier to the SEATTLE P-I: “No. 1, I’m conservative and I’m of strong Christian faith. No. 2, I’m in the highest tax bracket. No. 3, I’m a small business owner. All of those things point to McCain.”
Titans Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth to USA TODAY: “A lot of guys should be all for McCain if they like their money.”
While Obama is sure to enjoy an landslide victory over McCain, why do you think that the athletes who do support McCain are afraid to make that public?
I also saw Pete Carroll publicly said this week that he would vote for Obama. If he was voting for McCain, you think he would’ve gone on the record?
Just askin’.
9:27 pm on November 4th, 2008
I can't feel sorry for these athletes having their high-priced salaries possibly taxes while I have to spend $100 per game ticket.
9:30 pm on November 4th, 2008
The night's not over yet. McCain can still claim plenty of states, including Virginia and Texas.
9:34 pm on November 4th, 2008
Jeb Putzier certainly lives up to his surname.
9:37 pm on November 4th, 2008
It's sad that athletes or anyone would ever be afraid to express their true political opinions. This isn't China, you know.
9:44 pm on November 4th, 2008
What do big, bad football players have to be afraid of? It's not like many people will be able to beat them up for their beliefs.
9:48 pm on November 4th, 2008
Keep in mind that all results so far are only predictions. It's stupid to declare winners in each state when only 2% of the precincts reporting.
9:52 pm on November 4th, 2008
McCain's sweeping the south & west, just won Texas. Obama fans better get ready for a big letdown.
9:58 pm on November 4th, 2008
After spending the past 8 years with Dubya as a neighbor, it would be nice to welcome in some new blood.
10:04 pm on November 4th, 2008
Well, that leaves McCain out, since he has really old blood.
10:09 pm on November 4th, 2008
I could stand to stare at Sarah Palin for the next 4 years. Quite the MILF, she is. And it's not like the VP does anything anyway. Anybody hear from Cheney for the past 4 years?
10:14 pm on November 4th, 2008
Someone was going to give a Dick update, but they were accidentally shot in the face during a hunting trip.
11:28 pm on November 4th, 2008
Those NFL McCain supporters shouldn't be afraid to speak up anymore - since he lost.