In a time when professional sports were increasingly entangled with political and social issues, former MLB catcher Jonathan Lucroy made it clear where he stood. As racial tensions surged in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020, many athletes across various sports opted to kneel during the national anthem in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Yet, Lucroy, a man of principle, refused to partake in the disrespectful gesture, choosing instead to stand firm for the values that have made America great.
Lucroy recently opened up about his experiences on *OutKick the Morning*, discussing how his career was affected by the wave of political correctness that gripped professional sports during that period. “I don’t want to name names or call out specific teams,” Lucroy explained, “but there were definitely times where I felt pressured to conform to the cultural narrative of the moment.”
For Lucroy, it was never about avoiding political discourse—it was about standing up for what he believed was right. While many teams and organizations sought to maintain a neutral stance, there came a moment when Lucroy was directly asked to kneel during the national anthem. That’s when his resolve was tested.
“When they asked me to kneel, I gave them the finger and said, ‘No, I will never do that,’” Lucroy recalled with conviction. “I don’t care what anyone says. I will not kneel for the anthem. I’m not doing it. Never, ever.” His refusal was a stand for respect—respect for the country and the anthem that represents it. Lucroy’s act of defiance was a testament to his unwavering commitment to American values, despite the growing pressure to bow to the woke mob.
Lucroy didn’t stop there. He also reflected on the other mandates that were imposed during that tumultuous time, including the pressure to take the COVID-19 vaccine. According to Lucroy, players who refused the vaccine were told they couldn’t see their families for three months. “That came down from the CDC, through MLB, and to the teams,” Lucroy noted. “That wasn’t the teams’ fault, but the kneeling? That was a line I would never cross. That really opened my eyes to the culture war we’re all fighting.”
The conversation didn’t stop at sports. Lucroy also shared his perspective on the 2024 presidential election, celebrating what he saw as a turning point for the country. He lauded President Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory, calling it the “dawn of a new era.” Lucroy saw the election as a rejection of the radical left’s anti-American agenda, particularly the push for socialism and woke ideology that has permeated so much of American life.
“The silent majority spoke up,” Lucroy said proudly, “rejecting the radical, anti-American policies of the left. It’s a blessing to live in a country where we have the power to make changes every four years. We’ve had enough of the radical woke agenda.”
Lucroy’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among many Americans: a desire to reclaim the nation’s core values and reject the divisive tactics of the left. He even went so far as to celebrate the idea of cleaning up what he described as the “swamp” in Washington, praising figures like Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for their efforts to challenge the entrenched political elites.
While the world may have moved on from the events of 2020, Lucroy’s stance serves as a reminder that some still stand firm in their beliefs, unwilling to bend to the forces that seek to undermine America’s greatness. For Lucroy, it’s about more than sports or politics—it’s about holding fast to the values that have made this country a beacon of freedom.
