Sports Commentator Sarah Spain Says She Felt Sick Seeing Politician JD Vance at Olympics

Sports commentator Sarah Spain shared on her podcast that she felt sick and had a bad feeling when she was seated near Vice President JD Vance at a Winter Olympics hockey game. Her words have caused many people to talk about it online.
By Newsroom | Sports, Politics |

Sports commentator Sarah Spain has publicly stated she felt "ill" and experienced a sense of unease when she was seated near Vice President JD Vance at a Winter Olympics hockey match. Her remarks, made on her podcast "Good Game with Sarah Spain," have led to a significant online reaction, with some defending her perspective and others calling for her dismissal from ESPN.

'I Felt Ill': ESPN Vet Says JD Vance Gave Her 'Demon Energy' at Olympic Hockey Match - 1

The core of the incident revolves around Spain's description of her encounter with Vance during the U.S. women's hockey game against Czechia at the Milan-Cortina Games. Spain, a prominent figure with over 15 years at ESPN, detailed the moment Vance arrived at her seating area, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and security personnel. She described her physical and emotional reaction to his presence, using strong language to convey her discomfort.

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'I Felt Ill': ESPN Vet Says JD Vance Gave Her 'Demon Energy' at Olympic Hockey Match - 2

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The events detailed by Sarah Spain took place during the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

'I Felt Ill': ESPN Vet Says JD Vance Gave Her 'Demon Energy' at Olympic Hockey Match - 3

  • Key Actors:

  • Sarah Spain: A sports commentator and former ESPN personality.

  • JD Vance: The current Vice President of the United States.

  • Marco Rubio: The current Secretary of State of the United States.

  • The Incident: Spain reported being seated near Vance at a U.S. women's hockey match. She noted Vance's arrival with a contingent of security and Rubio approximately twelve minutes into the first period of the game.

  • Spain's Account:

  • Described Vance's presence as creating a sense of "bad energy" and danger.

  • Stated she felt "ill" and described a physical reaction akin to being "spooked."

  • Used terms like "demon energy" and referred to Vance's appearance as his "eyeliner face."

  • Mentioned that security presence for Vance and Rubio, along with photographers focusing on them, obstructed her view.

  • Spain's Podcast: The comments were made on her podcast, "Good Game with Sarah Spain," and subsequently shared and discussed online.

  • Public Reaction: Spain's remarks have generated considerable backlash on social media, with calls for her to be fired from ESPN.

Spain's Description of the Encounter

Sarah Spain elaborated on her feelings during an episode of her podcast, "Good Game with Sarah Spain." She stated:

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'I Felt Ill': ESPN Vet Says JD Vance Gave Her 'Demon Energy' at Olympic Hockey Match - 4

"I feel like I just looked at a demon, like the devil, and I don’t even believe in that. My body felt like when you have been spooked and you have a little tingle that feels like, ‘Ooh, something’s not right.’ Or like when you get in a situation and you feel like, ‘Oh, some of the energy’s bad, something could go wrong here, maybe I should get out of here,’ or something’s dangerous, this doesn’t feel right. That’s what my body felt like."

She further described the arrival of Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio into the seating area:

"Twelve minutes into the first period, that area suddenly is awash with large men in suits, with earpieces, and here comes JD Vance carrying a child."

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Spain also expressed her displeasure with the media's focus on the politicians' arrival over the game itself, stating:

"When I see JD Vance’s eyeliner face, I literally feel ill."

Contrasting Perspectives on the Incident

The narrative surrounding Sarah Spain's comments presents a dichotomy in how the event is perceived.

Spain's Experience and Interpretation

  • Emotional and Physical Discomfort: Spain claims to have experienced a strong, almost visceral, negative reaction to Vance's presence, describing it as feeling "ill" and akin to sensing danger.

  • Metaphorical Language: She used strong, figurative language such as "demon energy" and "the devil" to articulate the intensity of her feelings, noting that she does not literally believe in such entities.

  • Critique of Political Figures: Her comments appear to stem from a broader political stance, as one article mentions Vance's backing of policies related to migrant crackdowns and other controversial political issues.

Public and Media Backlash

  • Calls for Dismissal: A segment of the public, particularly on social media platforms like X, has called for ESPN to fire Spain due to her remarks.

  • Accusations of Bias: Some critics perceive her comments as politically motivated and unprofessional for a sports broadcaster.

  • Focus on Specific Details: Specific phrases, such as "eyeliner face," have been highlighted and criticized.

Broader Context and Reactions

The exchange between Sarah Spain and JD Vance at the Winter Olympics has ignited broader discussions and reactions.

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  • Vance's Stance on Athletes and Politics: The reports reference Vance's comments made at the time regarding Olympians voicing political opinions. He reportedly stated that athletes should focus on their sport and represent the country well, rather than criticizing American leadership on foreign soil. He emphasized that unity is achieved through competition and national representation.

  • Social Media Uproar: Following Spain's podcast appearance, her remarks went viral, leading to significant engagement online. Critics have accused her of bias and have demanded accountability from her employer, ESPN. Some social media posts directly suggest Spain's comments are a reason for ESPN's perceived decline.

  • Allegations of Bringing Children: One report notes that Spain mentioned Vance bringing a child, and another article mentions Vance carrying a child. This detail has been a point of contention in some discussions.

Expert Analysis and Commentary

  • Attribution: Analysis of Sarah Spain's remarks often points to her lengthy career at ESPN and her role as a sports commentator.

  • Interpretation of "Demon Energy": Experts in communication or social commentary might interpret Spain's use of "demon energy" as a highly subjective, metaphorical expression of intense personal dislike or discomfort, rather than a literal accusation of malevolence. This aligns with her statement, "and I don't even believe in that."

  • Impact on Broadcasting Standards: The situation raises questions about the expected conduct and public statements of media personalities, particularly concerning political figures. The calls for Spain's dismissal suggest a viewpoint that personal political expressions, when directed at elected officials in a public forum, are inappropriate for sports journalists.

  • Vance's Response: While not a direct response to Spain's specific comments, Vice President Vance's general remarks about athletes and politics at the Games provide a counterpoint to the narrative of friction. His emphasis on unity through sport suggests a different approach to national representation abroad.

Conclusion and Implications

Sarah Spain's vivid description of her encounter with Vice President JD Vance at the Winter Olympics has led to a significant public discourse. Her feelings of physical and emotional distress, articulated through strong metaphorical language, have been met with both support and sharp criticism.

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  • Core Finding: Spain stated she felt "ill" and experienced unease, likening the sensation to encountering "demon energy" when Vice President Vance was present at a hockey game.

  • Public Reaction: The remarks have triggered a polarized response online, with some defending Spain's right to express her feelings and others calling for her termination from ESPN, citing professionalism and perceived political bias.

  • Implications: The incident highlights the ongoing tension between personal expression and professional conduct for media personalities, especially when engaging with political figures. It also underscores the amplified impact of such statements in the age of social media, where viral dissemination can lead to swift and intense public scrutiny.

  • Next Steps: Continued observation of any official statements from ESPN regarding Spain's on-air conduct or potential disciplinary actions is warranted. Further analysis of the broader context of political commentary by sports figures may also provide insight into evolving media standards.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Sarah Spain say about JD Vance?
Sarah Spain said that when she was seated near Vice President JD Vance at a Winter Olympics hockey game, she felt sick and had a bad feeling. She used strong words to describe her feelings.
Q: Why did Sarah Spain feel this way?
Spain described her feelings as a strong, negative reaction to Vance's presence. She used words like 'demon energy' to explain her intense discomfort, saying her body reacted as if sensing danger.
Q: What has been the reaction to Spain's comments?
Her comments have caused many people to discuss them online. Some people support her right to share her feelings, while others think she should not have said them and want her to lose her job at ESPN.
Q: What is JD Vance's role?
JD Vance is the Vice President of the United States. He was at the Winter Olympics hockey game where Spain said she felt uneasy near him.