SAN ANTONIO — Despite attempts to separate two of America’s great obsessions, sports and politics often intersect. The language of sports, including its violent metaphors, have long seeped into politics and political speech. But such is the sad state of our politics today that we must caution of the dangers of political violence spilling into sports.
On the Monday after the Houston Astros won their second World Series title in five years, a victory parade rolled through downtown Houston. Riding in the back of a military vehicle, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was waving at fans when someone threw a seltzer can at him, striking him in the chest and neck area. Fortunately, Cruz wasn’t hurt, and he joked that he was lucky the thrower had a “noodle” for an arm.
A 33-year-old man was arrested and accused by prosecutors of using and exhibiting “a deadly weapon, namely an unopened metal beverage can” to intentionally hit Cruz.
READ MORE: Man arrested after throwing beer can at Ted Cruz, police say
During the Astros’ championship run, Cruz positioned himself as the team’s most visible fan, posting pictures of him and his daughter at games. He was booed at Yankee Stadium during two games of the American League Championship Series in New York, and he was booed during the victory parade in Houston.
Booing a politician at a sporting event is fair game. Throwing projectiles is unacceptable.
Cruz was targeted because of who he is, a prominent and polarizing politician in a highly polarized political environment where threats and acts of violence are more frequent and often excused.
Cruz himself doesn’t have clean hands; we called for his resignation for his role in standing with election deniers refusing to certify the Electoral College vote in the 2020 presidential election. While many joked about the can being thrown at him, there is nothing funny about someone attempting to harm him for any reason, including their dislike of him and disagreement with his views.
Cruz or someone else on that truck could have been seriously injured. There’s no justification for that criminal act.
Political violence in any form — whether it’s the storming of the nation’s Capitol, the beating of the husband of the speaker of the House or throwing a can at a U.S. senator — is wrong.
Every act or encouragement of political violence must be condemned. Failing to do so makes more likely the next act of political violence.
Read More: Nothing funny about attack on Ted Cruz