ESPN’s Sage Steele is catching flack for voicing her opinion on Mike Evans’ protest of Donald Trump. The Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver told reporters that he would kneel during the national anthem in protest of Trump’s election.
Steele responded to Evans by posting on Twitter, “Hey Mike Evans, look up the definition of the word democracy and remember this pic while kneeling/exercising your right to protest.” She attached a picture of a person visiting a military graveyard.
Evans recently revealed that he changed his mind and would not protest during the national anthem. However, his change came a bit too late for Steele who continues to be blasted online for comment against Evans.
For instance, Miko Grimes, the wife of NFL player Brent Grimes, went after Steele by calling her a “coon” and suggesting that Steele doesn’t believe she is Black because she’s married to a White man. She also tweeted, “The [president] you voted for said a woman who’s flat chested, which you clearly are, can’t be attractive.”
The harsh language reveals how the election has created a deep divide in this country. It’s a divide that can only begin to end if Trump makes it a point to bring the country together after running a campaign on hatred and bigotry. Freedom of expression on both ends of the spectrum is currently being attacked.
Others have rallied against Steele who stands as a prominent figure in sports journalism.
Sage Steele makes Stacey Dash look like Harriet Tubman.
— NUFF$AID (@nuffsaidNY) November 14, 2016
Sad day when we gotta cancel Sage Steele but so be it.
— Adam T. (@primediscussion) November 14, 2016
Sage Steele is now on the trading block #racialdraft
— Chargers 4-6 (@OfftheMarc_) November 14, 2016
Never thought I’d see the day blacks folk attack Oprah Winfrey, Dave Chappell or Sage Steele for free expression
— thoughtcrime (@RawDawgBuffalo) November 15, 2016
Sage Steele outchea agreeing with Jason Whitlock. She’s lost bruh
— Tucker Sakz (@sakz5th) November 15, 2016
@sagesteele your platform gives you such a powerful voice! I’m disappointed how you are using it. I won’t badmouth you, it’s your right!
— Gene Clemons (@geneclemons) November 15, 2016
