On Friday morning, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre tweeted in support of President Donald Trump for re-election. The reaction of celebrities and fellow athletes was mostly divided, with some people challenging Favre and others applauding him for his support.
In the tweet, Favre explained his thoughts behind Trump’s election. “My vote is for what makes this country great: freedom of speech and religion, 2nd Amnd [sic], hard-working taxpaying citizens, police and military. In this election we have the freedom of choice that everyone should respect,” he wrote before saying that Trump has his vote.
My vote is for what makes this country great: freedom of speech and religion, 2nd Amnd [sic], hard-working, taxpaying citizens, police and military. In this election we have the freedom of choice that everyone should respect. For me and these principles my vote is for @RealDonaldTrump. #Vote âï¸ðºð¸
– Board Favre (@BrettFavre) October 30, 2020
The endorsement should hardly come as a surprise. In an interview with The Washington Examiner earlier this month, Favre also spoke positively about Trump. “I think he has done a good job for our country. Is he perfect? There is no way he is perfect. Call me someone other than Jesus Christ who is perfect, and I’ll call you a liar,” he said after talking to the president about golf.
Following Favre’s endorsement, numerous sports and media personalities praised him for sharing his support. NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, professional poker player Mike Matusow and conservative podcaster and social media personality Graham Allen both tweeted their support for Favre. Conservative blogger Matt Rooney responded with a GIF from the quarterback.
The legend knows it. Thanks a lot @BrettFavre https://t.co/ULkOuK3s00
– Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) October 30, 2020
I have always loved @BrettFavre! #Vote https://t.co/0f85fG3QJl
– Mike Matusov (@themouthmatusov) October 30, 2020
As MS-Colleague…..Respectðºð¸
– Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) October 30, 2020
pic.twitter.com/kUzxutuh7F
– Matt Rooney (@MattRooneyNJ) October 30, 2020
Although Favre received some support, other people noticed the kind of reactions other athletes and sports reporters get when they speak out or write about more political issues. Sports reporter and radio presenter Adam Green sarcastically wondered if people who say they “stick with sports” were upset that he was talking about the election. Another reporter compared the reactions to Favre’s endorsement to those when NBA player LeBron James opposes Trump.
Brett Favre, of course, has every right to share who he is or has voted for.
I just wonder if the “stick with sports” crowd is upset that he is doing this. https://t.co/jsoRTwnF0g
– Adam Green (@theAdamGreen) October 30, 2020
Surprisingly, the right wing has been awfully quiet about Brett Favre, Jay Cutler and Jack Nicklaus not “sticking to the sport”. I’m not stupid enough to take voting advice from these guys, but I believe in their right to say what they want.
– Adam the Bull (@AdamtheBullFAN) October 30, 2020
Brett Favre is praised while LeBron James must shut up and drool.
– David Wysong (@DavidWysong_) October 30, 2020
One sports reporter remarked that he cannot imagine his own voice being influenced by what the athletes say, but he mentioned that he is happy to know which athletes share his values and which do not.
Whether it’s Brett Favre or LeBron James, I can’t imagine that either of the two men can influence his voice.
But I respect all those who expose themselves. I would rather know if you are an ally or not.
For whatever it’s worth, I vote with #BidenHarris2020 https://t.co/xjMnKmmrlb
– Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) October 30, 2020
Former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels gave Favre the meme treatment by copying his tweet exactly, but said instead that these were the reasons why he voted for former vice president Joe Biden.
My vote is for what makes this country great: freedom of speech and religion, 2nd Amnd, hard-working taxpaying citizens, police and military. In this election we have the freedom of choice that everyone should respect. For me & these principles, my vote is for @JoeBiden. #Vote âï¸ðºð¸ https://t.co/k3DXwh7dOt
– Sage Rosenfels (@SageRosenfels18) October 30, 2020
Other people made fun of Favre for advocating Trump. Filmmaker Adam Best pointed out that Favre found Trump’s recent tax scandals about “hard-working taxpaying citizens” ironic. Comedy writer Jason O. Gilbert made fun of a 2010 incident in which Favre allegedly sent a nude photo of himself to a reporter, Deadspin said in 2010. Despite the controversy, Gilbert called the Trump endorsement “somehow the most embarrassing thing that ever came out of Brett Favre’s phone.
âHard working taxpaying citizensâ
Brett Favre says while advocating a tax fraudster who spends his days watching cable news and playing golf. https://t.co/lxPeovRHQk
– Adam “Expand the Court” Best (@adamcbest) October 30, 2020
somehow the most embarrassing, which ever of Brett Favreâs telephone https://t.co/oQkYAe0kj5
– Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) October 30, 2020
Tekk.tv contacted Favre’s agents via an email link on its website to make a comment, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.
