Most athletes try to avoid the political spotlight seeing as how it takes away from the joys of the actual sport, but with Brett Favre no longer taking the field, he's been open to expressing his view more lately. The former three-time MVP took to his Twitter account on Friday to voice his support for President Donald Trump while also stating his reasons for doing so.
My Vote is for what makes this country great, freedom of speech & religion, 2nd Amnd, hard working tax paying citizens, police & military. In this election, we have freedom of choice, which all should respect. For me & these principles, my Vote is for @RealDonaldTrump. #Vote ☑️🇺🇸
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) October 30, 2020
As expected, he was met with a barrage of opposing viewers who struck at the opportunity to denounce Favre's viewings.
A reminder that @brettfavre — a man whose biography I wrote — also took pictures of his shriveled penis and texted them to a woman he didn't know. So judgement, eh, not really his thing. https://t.co/VHlMiSxJ41
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) October 30, 2020
Brett Favre has time to endorse Trump but has not found the time to pay back $1.1 mil of Mississippi welfare dollars to Mississippi’s hard working taxpayers https://t.co/LxLvwTHDFA
— Elise Jordan (@Elise_Jordan) October 30, 2020
These principles?
“Brett Favre says $1.1 million in repaid welfare money was for PSAs, not no-show speeches” – @espn https://t.co/u7x2yLfy26 https://t.co/UV5Q5Am8NM
— Kenya Evelyn (@LiveFromKenya) October 30, 2020
Many of his criticizers took specific aim at Favre's failing to follow through on his promise of repaying welfare money in the amount of $1.1 million to Mississippi citizens, whom reside in his hometown state. Favre has been tied to Trump recently after asking the 45th president during a town hall meeting how the sports world should promote anti-racism. He's also echoed Trump's beliefs that the reasoning for the lower TV ratings in sports is due to the insertion of politics rather than the COVID-19 pandemic the nation is currently facing.
The co-signing by Favre shouldn't come as a shock. He's also been seen playing golf with Trump back in July, which could be seen as a clear signal in his backing of the current president. Favre joins fellow retired quarterback Jay Cutler, who also voiced his support from Trump this week via Instagram.
With election day only a few days away, the expectation of more athletes coming forward to throw their last-minute, decision-swaying support to either candidate is to be expected.