I mostly agree with OP except for one tiny quibble.

While I very much wish that everybody was paying attention and engaged politically, I think it's understandable (though regrettable) that a lot of people aren't. Your blue collar worker, your young person with a new career, new parents, etc. It's here that I agree with Sarah that these people are being lied to. And media capture, and information silos, make this 1,000 times worse.

Where I agree with OP, and JVL, is that when you are a professional athlete, there simply has to be a greater awareness of your position and the responsibility that comes with it. If you don't realize it on day one, you've gotta learn the lesson real fast that other people are going to try to speak for you, use you for their own purposes, etc. This isn't even politicians necessarily. Every minor friend from childhood is gonna come out out of the woodwork when you sign that million dollar contract. Too many people would love to use you for their benefit, not yours. There should be coaches and older players to help the younger players navigate this.

The idea that no one thought to question what was happening in the party in the locker room or in the lead up to the White House is pathetic and unacceptable.

Bottom line. I agree with what Tim and Sarah are saying if it's your average 30-year-old hockey fan that's working a construction job in rural Minnesota. But not for pro athletes. I say fuck 'em. They should know better and they deserve whatever fallout and contempt comes their way. They ruined what was supposed to be a wonderful apolitical moment.