San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has been slammed by former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill for not having the “guts” to explain his political beliefs.
Bosa has avoided a suspension but could be fined after violating NFL policy by wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat during a live interview on NBC Sports. The slogan is used by Donald Trump in his presidential campaign, and the NFL is strictly against players promoting political messages that are visible to the stadium and television audience.
Although Bosa wasn’t the one being interviewed, he pointed to his hat after emerging in the background as Niners quarterback Brock Purdy spoke live on air. By the time Bosa appeared on the podium to conduct a postgame press conference, he had removed his MAGA cap and was asked about his values by reporters.
“I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said. When asked whether he felt the need to express his views, Bosa added: “It’s definitely a little easier nowadays, but no, I don’t feel too inclined to do that. It’s just a different climate.”
While Bosa made it clear which candidate he will be voting for in the upcoming election, he has been called gutless by Hill for not explaining why. Fellow athlete LeBron James endorsed rival candidate Kamala Harris during media availability for the Los Angeles Lakers and was compared to Bosa by Hill.
“Oh look, LeBron was asked about a public political statement that he made and he explained IN DETAIL why he did it,” Hill wrote on X. “Nick Bosa doesnt have the guts to do this.”
Bosa has endorsed Trump since his first reign as president and even felt the need to cleanse his social media profiles before entering the 2019 NFL Draft. During his final year at Ohio State, Bosa deleted several posts in which he supported Trump after hearing that the Niners could select him second overall, out of fear he wouldn’t be welcomed in San Francisco.
The NFL star isn’t the only celebrity to be criticized by Hill for endorsing Trump, as she also called out former NASCAR star Danica Patrick. The motorsports legend announced that she had voted for the first time in her life and favored Trump over Harris, but upset Hill in the process.
“I made a rule for myself that if I didnt vote I could not have an opinion about the outcome, because I didnt earn that right,” Patrick wrote on social media. “Not this time. I voted for (Trump) and I cant wait to have him make America great again!”
In response, Hill wrote: “Considering what they said about you as a woman driver and what Trump stands for against women, this is unhinged behavior. But good luck tho!”
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