Major League Soccer has sent a clear signal to its fans: while transgender pride flags are welcomed with open arms, MAGA hats are unwelcome and, apparently, offensive.
In a recent episode at a St. Louis City FC match, Michael Weitzel found himself ejected from the stadium for daring to sport a “Make America Great Again” cap. A video capturing the encounter reveals him being surrounded by stadium security, who were not there to offer a friendly chat.
Weitzel recounted to Marc Cox on KFTK Radio that he was approached by officials who informed him that a complaint had been lodged about his hat. “They told me I could either hide the hat, take it back to my car, or leave. I’m not going to take my hat off for anybody. I thought I lived in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave,” he expressed.
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The stadium’s policy, which appears to target political expression, was invoked against Weitzel. However, the rationale behind labeling “Make America Great Again” as a political message remains murky.
Moreover, Weitzel pointed out the irony of his situation: “I’m being asked to leave by police. I am being threatened with arrest. They are asking me to leave,” he stated in the video. “I am being evicted from the premises because of Donald Trump — because we can’t wear Donald Trump hats in public. Now I am being evicted from the premises. Trump is not welcome at St. Louis City SC club. Trump is not welcome here.”
As the dust settles, Major League Soccer has yet to issue a statement on the matter, leaving many fans disillusioned by the treatment of Weitzel.
“What happened to keeping politics out of our sports? The same people [expletive] about this are the ones who were mad at Kaepernick for kneeling. But now you’re upset that sports leagues have implemented these rules? A bunch of hypocrites,” one user lamented on X.
Related: Man Alleges He Was Attacked By Mob Of Teens For Wearing MAGA Hat
Adding to the discourse, commentator David Limbaugh expressed pride in Weitzel’s family for their stand, noting their personal connection.
“So in St. Louis this year, there were 66 murders, 67 kidnappings, 28 rapes, and 1,335 aggravated assaults. But there were four security personnel here to forcibly evict a peaceful soccer fan wearing a MAGA hat,” another observer remarked. “Is the message that you do not want us in the city of St. Louis?”
Another chapter in the ongoing saga of sports and politics — yet another reason for some to turn their backs on soccer altogether.
Syndicated with permission from ToddStarnes.com – founded by best-selling author and journalist Todd Starnes. Starnes is the recipient of an RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award and the Associated Press Mark Twain Award for Storytelling.
