Former NASCAR driver and Scottsdale resident Danica Patrick was among the athletes who campaigned for Donald Trump, including at this Sunday rally in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

PHOENIX – Social media has served as a powerful channel for athletes to share their political beliefs. This was never more evident than after Tuesday’s presidential election.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić, who is from Bosnia-Herzegovina, spoke to reporters Wednesday about athletes using their social media platforms as others took to theirs to share strong opinions after Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged the election of Donald Trump.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese posted on X multiple times Wednesday. “As a woman, my heart breaks for all of us…” and “I am so disappointed in America…. Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside, could you?!?!?”

Meanwhile, former Pittsburgh Steelers players Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell have remained outspoken supporters of former President Trump. The teammates attended and spoke at a Trump rally in Latrobe, Pa., in October, and Brown posted Wednesday that “I’m glad to be a part of it.” Bell wrote that he “couldn’t wait for this moment”.

In addition, former NASCAR driver and Scottsdale resident Danica Patrick campaigned for Trump, including Sunday in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Sportspeople have been particularly vocal about politics since the summer of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was the dominant story and police brutality was one of the top conversations in American news. LeBron James, arguably the game’s greatest player, founded the nonprofit “More than a vote” in the summer of 2020 – just months after two cases of police brutality came into the public spotlight.

James endorsed Democratic candidate Harris before the election. With Trump’s victory officially back, James posted a photo of his daughter Zhuri on Instagram. “HARD FOR MY HEART AND MIND THIS IS MY PRINCESS!! I PROMISE TO PROTECT YOU WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE AND MORE!! WE DON’T NEED THEIR HELP!”

The public response from the athletes shows a stark difference from six years ago when the Fox News host Laura Ingraham said to James to, “shut up and dribble.”

The NBA took Election Day 2022 off to encourage active participation in the election.

The Suns’ Nurkić spoke to members of the media during Wednesday’s meeting, explaining the importance of being able to vote.

“I feel it’s (a) great honor and luxury to have the right to tell people to go vote, but a lot of people don’t agree with why people (are) saying, ‘Vote for this guy or vote for that.’ . Nurkic said. “That’s a choice people have to make for themselves.”

Nurkić promoted voting on his X account on election day as well.

Other sports figures in the country have made their voices heard about the elections.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White joined Trump on stage at his victory rally Wednesday morning. Trump’s speech lasted about 25 minutes, with White speaking for several minutes.

“No one deserves this more than him and no one deserves this more than his family,” White said. “That’s what happens when the car comes after you.”

Bryson DeChambeau, two-time US Open winner and nine-time PGA Tour winner, tweeted two American flags wednesday morning

On the other hand, two-time Super Bowl wide receiver Torrey Smith posted a different emotion on X.

“I am disappointed in our country. The standard of being a leader has reached the ground. Hate has inspired so many people. Lies and fear have won. I can’t spend all day complaining though. Let’s see what change will come. There are no excuses. He has all power.”

Diamondbacks rookie infielder Blaze Alexander responded positively to the YC results. He reacted with a eye emoji next to the American flag. Additionally, he posted a tweet by Joe Rogan reacting to Trump taking the stage last night at his headquarters.

Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson posted multiple times on X on Election Day, simply asking people to do their civic duty.

“Maricopa… matters a LOT! Please vote!!” Thompson said Tuesday afternoon, before the first picks started coming out.