Braves under fire for Game 6 national anthem singer

The Braves are doing anything but sticking to sports with their Game 6 National Anthem singer. Travis Tritt has made his COVID-19 vaccine stance very clear.

Tritt is against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, so much so that he’s canceled dates on his own music tour for it. As a lifelong Braves fan and native of nearby Marietta, Georgia, Tritt was an easy choice for national anthem signer based on pure musical talent alone.

Yet, unfortunately in an era where everything must be politicized including the health and safety of others, Tritt has done just that.

The Grammy-nominated artist canceled events in Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Kentucky at venues that required proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to attend, even posting his opinion about that subject on social media.

Tritt has even been featured on right-wing television shows such as Tucker Carlson Tonight, in which he’s commented against such health policies.

Braves: Travis Tritt signing sends wrong message

By allowing Tritt to sing for their organization, the Braves are sending the wrong message for MLB — a league whose success is predicated on a successful COVID-19 policy and heavy reliance on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Tritt’s statement is his own right, and obviously legal. But the Braves could’ve gone with any number of successful musicians from the Atlanta region, yet instead chose one who made a political statement which actively harms the health of others.

In the end, the anthem is nothing more than a brief political statement which is often forgotten by first pitch. In this case, it’s an unnecessary headline.