Eli Manning says athletes can speak on politics but should expect criticism
Manning told CNBC Sport that Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart’s Trump rally appearance need not divide the locker room.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning said athletes have the right to speak publicly about politics, while warning that doing so can bring criticism from fans and teammates. His comments to CNBC Sport came after current Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart drew backlash for introducing President Donald Trump at a May 22 rally outside New York City.
Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Giants, framed the issue as one of choice and consequence. “Athletes should be allowed to do it if they feel strong about politics or supporting someone, that’s fine,” Manning told CNBC Sport. “You just have to understand that there’s going to be teammates, fans and people that are going to think different about that.”
Dart’s rally appearance prompted reaction
CNBC reported that Dart, 23, came under scrutiny after publicly backing Trump by introducing him at the rally. The reaction included public criticism from Giants teammate Abdul Carter, according to CNBC and a Yahoo Sports report cited by the network.
Dart later turned off comments on his Instagram account after receiving many responses to the appearance, according to an MLFootball post cited by CNBC. Reports cited by CNBC said Dart also spoke with Giants teammates about his decision to attend the rally.
In a statement Friday carried by SNY and cited by CNBC, Dart said, “I love every single one of my teammates regardless of politics.”
Manning says teams can work through political differences
Manning told CNBC Sport that disagreements over politics do not have to undermine a team. He said the situation could lead to better conversations among players if handled constructively.
“Hopefully it doesn’t create friction and a divide amongst the team, hopefully it creates great conversation and brings a team together,” Manning told CNBC Sport. “You might not agree with everybody and their beliefs, or what their, what they believe in, but you can still work together and trust each other and compete together and try to do your craft and your job at a high level together.”
The former quarterback also said he avoided making political statements during his own NFL career. Manning told CNBC Sport that politics was not a subject he felt strongly driven to discuss publicly, so staying out of it was easier for him.
CNBC reported that Manning’s apolitical public profile helped him and his brother Peyton Manning become spokesmen for major brands. The network listed DirecTV, Nationwide, Corona and Pepsi among the companies associated with the brothers’ advertising work.
“It wasn’t something I was super passionate about in the first place, so it’s just easier to stay out of it,” Manning told CNBC Sport.
Manning’s comments place Dart’s situation within a broader debate over how athletes handle political expression while sharing locker rooms with teammates who may hold different views. According to CNBC Sport, Manning’s position is that players can disagree politically and still prepare, compete and work together at a high level.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.