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The 23-year-old athlete's commentary, while met with support from fans, drew sharp rebuke from critics who claimed she should focus on her career.

Another professional athlete was met with similar resistance on Twitter, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who, in turn, schooled naysayers about the freedom of speech.

\"Stop saying stick to football like that's our only purpose on this earth,\" the 21-year-old NFL player vented. \"We (football players) have every right to speak on whatever we feel no matter the situation.\"

as well as any other athletes !!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/TCeLZFyiYt

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 7, 2021

Biles retweeted his comments and enthusiastically added in her own two cents by writing, \"as well as any other athletes !!!!!!!!!!!\"

Four people died during Wednesday's violent protests in Washington, D.C., which drew comparisons from Black Lives Matter supporters who say, had they breached the Capitol, the death count could have been much higher.

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