Atlanta Falcons’ safety Jessie Bates defended his decision to put his money in a company that tech mogul and vocal Republican Elon Musk owns, reiterating that his decision to invest is not motivated politically in any way.
In a video interview, Jessie Bates explained his mindset on investing in SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. In his piece, Bates clarified that his investment is not a testament to his political stance but rather the value he sees in the future of space exploration.
“You can’t ignore how business-savvy these guys are and the leadership that they have in this space,” Bates said. “It would be crazy if we didn’t think that [one day] people will be going to space normally. You would be crazy not to educate yourself in that space and maybe participate in some investments.”
“At the end of the day, it’s going to happen.”
Bates initially invested in SpaceX in 2019 through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) when the company’s valuation was around $30 billion. He later doubled down on his investment during the Series J funding round in 2022, when SpaceX’s valuation had risen to $127 billion.
With this investment, Bates faced criticism online, particularly due to Musk’s political affiliations and the business controversies surrounding him.
Elon Musk has experienced a significant loss in valuation due to the tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. His net worth has dropped by approximately $134.7 billion in 2025 alone, with Tesla and SpaceX being heavily impacted by increased costs and disrupted supply chains.
Falcons Predicted to Get a Playmaker for Jessie Bates
The Atlanta Falcons are projected to select Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko.
“The Falcons have Jesse Bates III secured on a big contract and need a playmaker to pair with him,” Kosko wrote in his piece. “Starks isn’t going to ‘wow’ you with elite athleticism, but he plays the game at a high level with his IQ, versatility, ball skills and instincts.”
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Starks is praised for his high football IQ, versatility, ball skills, and instincts, making him an ideal complement to Jessie Bates III in the Falcons’ secondary. Despite not being the most athletically gifted player, his ability to read the game and make impactful plays has caught the attention of analysts.
Jessie Bates had a solid season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, recording 102 combined tackles, 4 interceptions, and 10 passes defended.
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