The sports world was fascinated, just like the rest of the world, as the 2016 United States Presidential election was decided. In a year of upsets in the sports world none was bigger than Donald Trump defying virtually all the polls to flip historically democratic blue states to become the President elect in dramatic fashion.
Online, athletes weighed in throughout the night as the political process seemed more like a heavy weight fight than a race for the presidency. The 45th President of the USA is the first to never hold a job in government or military but he sure knows how to get people engaging via social media.
As the results rolled in, athletes took to social media to express their emotions.
Kris Humphries on Twitter
I knew everyone was lying when they said they weren’t voting for Trump. Trump is America’s alter ego!
Jared Sullinger on Twitter
A dead gorilla got 11k votes….. #LetThatSinkIn
Vernon Wells on Twitter
Pray for our country and our leadership.
Huston Street on Twitter
Election TV is awesomely entertaining…we should shorten terms just to do this every year
Brody Sutter on Twitter
This should help the Blue Jays chances of resigning Encarnacion. #ElectionNight
Jacob Tamme on Twitter
We are about two minutes in, but I like President-elect Trump better than candidate Trump.
Willie Bloomquist on Twitter
Election has almost equally divided America. Challenge moving forward is reunite us to continue making the USA the greatest country in earth
John Daly on Twitter
Congrats my grt friend & President of the US! @realDonaldTrump #NowMakeAmericaGreatAgain bc I know u will! Thk u 4 putting Americans 1st
Toronto FC goalie Clint Irwin was less excited and more analytical about what was happening in his home land.
Clint Irwin on Twitter
Someone please light up the CN Tower red, white and blue so we can raise awareness of America’s impending doom.
Clint Irwin on Twitter
40 years of declining public educational standards finally coming home to roost. If the electorate isn’t educated, this is what we deserve.
The result could cause a rush of athletes coming to Canada.
Jared Cunningham on Twitter
Toronto Raptors….
Line of the night went to Joel Embiid, who is known to troll on Twitter.
Joel Embiid on Twitter
Well America is tanking!!! All we can do is Trust The Process…
There was more than one upset in the state of Ohio on election night.
NBA on TNT on Twitter
BREAKING NEWS: We’re ready to project a huge upset in OHIO.
The unlikely upset was put in context.
Coral on Twitter
Leicester 5000/1 Brexit 3/1 Trump for US President 150/1 £5 treble payed £15.1m.
Eastern Michigan University wore special election night helmets in their election night game versus Ball State.
WXYZ Detroit on Twitter
Eastern Michigan University football celebrating Election Day with special helmets https://t.co/w99odhtAXL
Many athletes used their platform to show that they were voting early, encouraging others to do the same.
Brandon Morrow on Twitter
Get out and Vote!!! #vote
Chris Paul on Twitter
✔️ #iVoted
Larry Fitzgerald on Twitter
Just got done casting my vote and I hope you all do the same today. Every vote counts!!! #Election2016 #iVoted
Ric Flair also voted…for himself.
Ric Flair® on Twitter
I’ll just leave this right here… #MakeAmericaWoooooAgain https://t.co/VBBchLOLp9 #vote #ElectionDay #Elections2016 #ElectionNight
Metta World Peace used his platform to demonstrate what he’d do if he were President.
Metta World Peace on Twitter
ifmettawaspresident I would hire Al Gore as my VP. I would also have national “Stop Playa Hating” day.
Metta World Peace on Twitter
ifmettawaspresident , I would have my secretary of defense be Ben Wallace.
Metta World Peace on Twitter
ifmettawaspresident , I would have Saturday Salsa night in the White House.