Jeff Kent donates to Yes on 8 campaign; other athletes go public with their politics
October 30, 2008 | 3:30
pm
Jeff Kent, most recently of the Dodgers, has donated $15,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign. The initiative would ban gay marriage in California.
Kent isn't the only pro athlete getting involved in politics this year.
Among retired superstars, Patrick Ewing, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Muhammad Ali and Charles Barkley are supporting Barack Obama. Retired athletes John Elway, Troy Aikman, Nolan Ryan and Jack Nicklaus are backing John McCain.
But active players are showing their colors too.
Greg Oden and Baron Davis (Obama) and Brady Quinn and Curt Schilling (McCain) are among those making their preferences known.
-- Steve Clow
Photo: Jeff Kent. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
Kent says he likes to keep to himself, mind his own business.
Well , I guess that means only when playing a team sport!
Apparently, when it comes to other people's private lives he has no problems getting involved in Their Business.
Go Home & pay attention to your own life/wife!! Everyone else will do fine w/o you, including the Dodgers!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Uh, Lisa, Jeff Kent didn't make a Yes on 8 commercial or stand on any stages (unlike Shannon Johnson, Curt Schilling, Baron Davis, or any other athlete supporting any other candidate or political cause). All he did was donate money, which is his right to do. Besides, campaign contributions lists are public. I'm sure Kent isn't the only athlete to make a donation regarding this issue.
Posted by: Joseph D'Hippolito | October 30, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Thank you Jeff Kent. I applaud and admire you for standing up like a man and endorsing a ban on same sex marriage. I stand with you in keeping America "red, white and blue." Thank you for your outstanding years with the Dodgers (and you are welcome back in my book).
Posted by: J. Scott Davis | October 31, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Remember folks, Jeff Kent is a Mormon... Not such a surprise that he supports prop 8.
Ironically enough, Steve Young (great some-odd grandson of the 2nd Mormon Prophet Brigham Young) and his wife have donated to the No on 8 campaign.
I wonder what kind of heat he's getting from his church!
NO ON 8!
Posted by: BC | October 31, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I realize that the election is less than 72 hours away, as I write this, but who cares what political causes or candidates professional athletes support? They are not paid for their opinions outside their sphere of expertise; they are paid for their performance. Unless they do something obviously illegal or immoral, we should regard them only as professional athletes, not as paragons or guardians of the culture.
Please, people, get a life away from politics, already.
Posted by: Joseph D'Hippolito | November 01, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Wow the viscious rumors are spreading like wildfire. Steve's wife Barbara is a No on 8 supporter. She is sympathetic to Gay causes because her only sibling is Gay.
Barbara is very vocal on issues she believes in and Steve is silent on his political views. His silence should not have been construed as to his support for No on 8.
As often is the case, couples come from different backgrounds and may not see things exactly the same.
Posted by: John S | November 02, 2008 at 06:01 PM