A collegiate summer baseball team in Georgia, formerly known as the Macon Bacon, is facing pressure to alter its name due to concerns from non-meat eaters and proponents of plant-based diets. Despite this, the team’s local fan base in Georgia remains attached to the name, cherishing the beloved pork product that the name represents.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has actively campaigned for the Macon Bacon to modify its name to be more inclusive of vegans and vegetarians. In a letter addressed to the baseball team’s president, the committee emphasized the health risks associated with consuming processed meats like bacon, which can potentially elevate the risk of certain cancers. Additionally, the committee has invested in a billboard advertisement urging fans to reconsider their dietary choices by avoiding bacon and other processed meats due to their health implications.
Anna Herby, the nutrition education program manager for the Physicians Committee, expressed concern in her letter that the team’s promotion of bacon, a known processed meat linked to colorectal cancer and other diseases, sends a misleading message to its fans.
Established in 2018, the Macon Bacon is a relatively new addition to Georgia’s baseball scene, competing in the Coastal Plains League. The team’s name was selected through a fan vote, and they boast a mascot named Kevin, who garnered attention when actor Kevin Bacon posed with a Macon Bacon hat on Instagram.
The Physicians Committee, headquartered in Washington State, has proposed a name change for the team to “Macon Facon Bacon,” a nod to plant-based alternatives available in many grocery stores.
In response to the controversy, Team President Brandon Raphael defended the team’s name, emphasizing the playful and lighthearted spirit it embodies. He highlighted that the Macon Bacon ballpark offers a plant-based menu option for fans who prefer not to consume processed meats. Raphael asserted that the team does not endorse an unhealthy lifestyle but rather focuses on fostering a sense of fun and community among families and communities in Middle Georgia and beyond.
Pork products, including bacon, are immensely popular among baseball enthusiasts nationwide. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), fans of major league baseball consume approximately 19.1 million hot dogs and five million sausages each season. Despite their popularity, there is growing awareness of the health risks associated with consuming processed meats like bacon and hot dogs, which are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer and other health issues.
Given the ongoing debate, do you believe the Macon Bacon should change its team name?
