Garrett Crochet, the star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, has responded to Jason Kelce’s recent candid statement, which criticized Erika Kirk’s speech at Ole Miss as a well-calculated fundraising stunt. Crochet, who has been vocal about the impact of athletes’ activism and fundraising efforts, didn’t hold back in his defense of Kirk, challenging the narrative presented by Kelce.
In an interview, Crochet addressed Kelce’s comments, which had caused a stir in the sports community. “I think Jason missed the point,” Crochet said. “Erika’s intentions were about more than just raising money — she’s trying to make a real impact. The way people are framing this as a ‘calculated stunt’ doesn’t do justice to the work she’s doing. We should be focusing on the cause, not attacking people who are trying to make a difference.”
Kelce, in his statement, had described Kirk’s speech at Ole Miss as a “calculated move,” suggesting that her public appearance and the subsequent fundraising efforts were part of a larger scheme to boost visibility and financial support for her own initiatives. According to Kelce, the timing of the speech and its highly publicized nature made it clear that Kirk was using the moment to further her own goals, rather than genuinely advancing the causes she spoke about.
Crochet, however, emphasized the importance of supporting athletes and activists who use their platforms to address important issues, even if their actions also involve raising money. “People like Erika Kirk have the platform, and they’re trying to do good with it,” he argued. “Whether it’s through a speech or a fundraising effort, if it leads to real change, then it’s worth it. We should be looking at the bigger picture here.”
Crochet also pushed back against the idea that athletes and activists should be judged solely on their public appearances or fundraising activities. “We can’t keep judging people for using their voice,” he said. “Everyone who’s trying to raise awareness for a cause or fight for something important is doing the work. Let’s support those efforts, not tear them down.”
As the debate surrounding Kirk’s speech continues, Crochet’s comments highlight a broader issue within the sports and activism communities: the fine line between visibility, fundraising, and genuine social impact. While Kelce’s perspective is rooted in skepticism, Crochet and others believe it’s important to view these efforts as part of a larger movement for change, not as calculated moves for personal gain.
“I’ll stand by people like Erika, who are trying to make a real difference,” Crochet concluded. “And I think we all should.”
