In a recent game against the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Taylor Walls sparked controversy when he mimicked a gesture made by former President Donald Trump. After hitting a double, Walls pumped his fist and shouted, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" towards his dugout, reminiscent of a gesture Trump made after surviving an assassination attempt. However, Walls has clarified that his celebration was not intended as a political endorsement.

Speaking before the Rays' game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Walls explained that his celebration was inspired by the resilience Trump displayed after the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13. Walls highlighted how any person's life could be taken away in an instant, and to witness someone immediately stand up and show strength was inspiring to him.

The Rays' shortstop emphasized that the celebration was more of an inside joke among the team and not meant to be taken seriously. Walls stated that he does not plan on repeating the gesture after future hits, indicating that it was a one-time occurrence.

While Walls did not disclose his preferred candidate for the upcoming presidential election, he referred to Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race during his conversation about politics. Walls emphasized that his personal values and how he was raised would determine his vote and his overall view on the matter.

Hailing from Georgia, Walls played college baseball at Florida State University before being drafted by the Rays in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Known for his exceptional defensive skills, Walls' offensive performance has been less impressive, with a batting average of .160 and a slugging percentage of .210 entering Tuesday's game.

As Walls moves forward in his career, it seems unlikely that his celebration gesture will be seen again on the field. Though unintentionally stirring controversy, Walls stands firm in his belief that it was a lighthearted joke shared among teammates, rather than a political statement.