Orioles’ outfielder/designated hitter/first baseman, Luke Scott is a player who I had grown to respect over the years for his play and the way he conducts himself in public.
As a fan, I obviously don’t know him all that well – aside from what he’s projected in public and in the press.
I’ve been able to chat with him at a few events, plus as a fan in the park. My opinion of him is that he’s a man of faith and spiritualism, a very hard worker, humble and of course has become a hell of a hitter.
Now, he’s proven to be a member of the ultra-conservative, right-wing faction of this country. That’s fine.
However, this week, he’s made some very controversial and off-base statements about the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
His comments centered on Obama’s birthplace – and the legitimacy of his citizenship (along with other topics) in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
Obviously, he’s created quite the firestorm…
Here’s a bit of what he said:
“[Obama] was not born here,” Scott asserted to Answer Man in the session’s last segment. “That’s my belief. I was born here. If someone accuses me of not being born here, I can go — within 10 minutes — to my filing cabinet and I can pick up my real birth certificate and I can go, ‘See? Look! Here it is. Here it is.’ The man has dodged everything. He dodges questions, he doesn’t answer anything.”
Yesterday, the Orioles – via a tweet on their official page on Twitter – distanced themselves from Scott’s comments.
Luke Scott has the right to express his opinion, as we all do. He has the right to believe what he wants. However, questioning the President of the United States on his citizenship is a bit crazy, especially when it’s been refuted over and over.
I think, along with other people, it’s disrespectful – no matter your political beliefs – to think your president isn’t a citizen or “American” enough. Considering he was elected by the majority of Americans who voted in November of 2008, this should not even be an issue.
Today, there’s a group of people who question Obama’s legitimacy as the Commander in Chief. That’s great; however, how he was he able to serve as a United States senator for four years? I know there’s a gulf in the country in political beliefs, but there are things that need to be let go.
Questioning the President on whether he’s a citizen or his legitmacy or not is one of them. He’s the leader of this country.
As for Luke, I do believe athletes should speak their mind on issues and have an opinion on things – like we all do. In fact, I appreciate athletes – or people in general – who have a stand on something.
When I first started out blogging, I often mixed sports and politics together. Whether it’s a smart thing to do or not, I did.
Often people agreed with me, other times – they didn’t. I learned valuable lessons from it. Should athletes do the same? Many don’t because of risk to current and future endorsements or have anything negative held against them.
Luke Scott is learning this and seemingly is sticking to his opinion. He doesn’t care.
The man is wrong about his belief concerning President Obama, but whatever.
