Published: 1 years 305 days ago
ESPN.com: I was riding through town with a couple of friends one day when a large campaign sign caught my eye.
It read: Jay Riemersma for Congress. I bleed maize and blue, so I remembered Riemersma from his heyday at the University of Michigan, and it was my Wolverine loyalty that prompted me to casually follow his nine-year NFL career.
Given his limited experience in politics since playing football, I couldn't escape the feeling that the main reason he feels he might have a chance to win the race in Michigan's 2nd congressional district (against two other men who have held office, no less) is because he's a hometown hero who made it to the NFL.
He told me that's not the case.
Other athletes-turned-politicians, such as J.C. Watts and Dave Bing, didn't spend a lot of time in politics; instead, they were businessmen before running for office. But it is interesting how the country's recent history of professional athletes making the leap to politics comes after two decades of explosive growth in sports coverage.
If Riemersma wins the primary in August and then the general election in November, would it be based on his platform or his popularity, and how would we really know? By comparison, Detroit Mayor Bing and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, two men who started community development companies in their hometowns before running for office, appear more qualified. But can we honestly say their status as former pros didn't help?
"I gave it my all to succeed as a professional athlete and I'm extremely proud of what I accomplished with the Phoenix Suns," Johnson said. "I realized when I embarked on a political career that I would always be associated with being a professional athlete and I embraced that. Regardless of my profession, I want people to see me as a hard worker, whether it was on the basketball court, the campaign trail or in office, and so far I think I've succeeded."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5388224
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