Olympic Pride: Why Wearing a USA Jersey Is More Than Just a Game

Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team, said Friday that there is “no greater feeling” for an athlete than wearing a USA jersey and warned that the Olympic Games should not be used to air political grievances.

Speaking on a recent interview, Eruzione described representing the United States as a rare honor that comes with responsibility and restraint. He emphasized that Olympic service falls in the same emotional category as the nation’s most revered public callings—such as being a police officer, firefighter, or military member who protects and serves the country.

“You’re not playing for Boston or Chicago or Los Angeles,” Eruzione said. “You’re playing for your country.”

That distinction, he added, is why he considers Olympic participation uniquely special—a point he underscored with the memory of 1980, when Team USA pulled off a stunning upset victory on home ice in Lake Placid, New York, defeating the Soviet Union 4-3.

“To be able to do it is an incredible, incredible honor,” Eruzione said, recalling “the honor of doing it in our own country.” He highlighted the emotional weight of the uniform itself, stating, “There’s nothing better. There’s no greater feeling than putting that jersey on.”

Eruzione acknowledged that the modern era—shaped by social media and constant commentary—may influence how some competitors view the moment. Still, he argued most Olympians maintain a deep sense of pride in representing the United States.

“I think the majority of our athletes that compete,” Eruzione said, “I would say more than the majority, I would say almost all of them have great pride in representing the country.”

He added that while athletes may hold political opinions, the Olympic venue shouldn’t become a megaphone for them, especially amid a fraught national political climate.

“It’s not your platform or your soapbox to talk about what you think or don’t think is going on,” Eruzione said. “We have enough issues going on in our country—we don’t need to hear it from our athletes.”

Eruzione urged athletes to keep activism off the podium and out of the arena, even while recognizing free speech.

“Talk about it on your Facebook pages or your Instagram or whatever,” he said, but “the Olympic Games is not the vehicle for that, in my opinion.”

“It’s a special time,” Eruzione concluded. “If you’re a skier, ski. If you’re a hockey player, play hockey. That’s what I want to hear about.”