LESAProject

It happened the instant M.D. Jennings’ cleats struck turf. Before Packer Nation could howl, or Golden Tate shrug, or Aaron Rodgers blinker, or Commissioner Goodell shudder. It happened the moment striped arms rose in error—Monday Night Football had succumbed to politics. The beast stirred. The presidential candidates began prepping their spin. And who’s surprised? Big money and old names, crises of leadership, influence pedaling and constituents are as shackled to sports as to politics. Pitchers and presidents have lied to congress. Health care is a shared flashpoint. Birther conspiracies and crotch-texting have their place.  But while democracy may degenerate into a carnival—in an election year at least—sport ...