Disney+ has another MCU hit on its hands with the current streaming series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The series focuses on Sam Wilson And James "Bucky" Barnes as they try to deal with the threat of new super soldiers as well as a brand spanking new Captain America. But the story kicks of with an incredibly questionable decision from Sam.
When Steve Rogers hung up the shield, he gave it to Sam to carry on this legacy. Not believing that he was worthy of the challenge, Sam gave the shield to the Smithsonian. That opened the doors to John Walker becoming Cap, which has undoubtedly damaged the Star Spangled Avenger's legacy.
10 Not Trying To Wield The Shield
Being handed Captain America's shield would be a dream come true for a lot of MCU characters, particularly John Walker who seems to want it a little too much. Sam Wilson, on the other hand, didn't even try to carry it.
If he tried and failed, that would be one thing. At least he would've put the effort in to carry Steve's legacy into the next generation of heroes. But arguably the worst part of his decision to give the shield up was that he didn't even try to make it work before doing so— and Captain America was about trying.
9 Made A Decision That Wasn't Solely His
Sam Wilson is an adult man who is more than capable of making his own decisions. If he doesn't want to be Captain America, he doesn't have to be. And he certainly doesn't owe anyone any explanations, least of all Bucky.
That being said, giving the shield to the Smithsonian wasn't solely his call. Other parties like the Wakandans, the Avengers, the Stark family, and even Bucky all should have been part of the decision process about what to do with such an important weapon and symbol.
8 Leaving Wakanda Out Of The Equation
Captain America's shield was created by Howard Stark at some point during World War II. He used a small supply of Vibranium, though how he got his hands on it has never been discussed. Knowing Howard, it was probably at least slightly on the wrong side of the law.
The point is that Wakanda considers all Vibranium to be its property, regardless of how it was acquired. The Wakandans would have been respectful of Steve's decision to give the shield to Sam. But if Sam didn't want it, the people of Wakanda probably would have rather gotten the Vibranium back.
7 Removing The Shield From The Avengers
The Avengers would have also been interested in the future of the shield. Captain America was a founding member of the team, and the leader of different incarnations. He was the heart and soul of the group.
Sam making the call to essentially retire the shield and the meaning that came with it would had impacted the Avengers. Losing Black Widow, Iron Man, and Vision were huge, but losing Captain America must have just compounded the problem.
6 Not Having A Conversation With Bucky
Growing up in New York, Steve Rogers and Bucky were best friends, though the dynamic between them was a lot different back then. Once Steve volunteered for the Super Soldier program, he changed in many ways— except the ones that count.
Eventually, Bucky was freed of his Winter Soldier programming and he and Steve rekindled their friendship. If Sam didn't want the shield anymore, then he probably should have brought Bucky into the conversation.
5 Not Thinking About The Ramifications
When Sam came to the conclusion that he was not ready to be Captain America, he made the choice to donate the shield to the Smithsonian. It made a certain amount of sense as it was a way for everyone to share in Cap's legacy.
The other side of that decision what that Sam didn't consider the other potential outcomes of leaving the shield behind. Beyond the government crowning a new Cap, a supervillain could have easily stolen the shield and used it for their own nefarious purposes.
4 Listening To The U.S. Government
The United States government hasn't always dealt with the superhero population well. Their attempts to control them led to the civil war between the heroes. Even worse, the atrocities they committed against Isaiah Bradley have yet to be fully explored.
No one believed in the United States more than Captain America, but even he took what the government said with a grain of salt. He left the shield to Sam rather than the government because he didn't fully trust them. Sam should not have listened to them at all.
3 Not Trusting Steve Rogers' Faith In Him
There were a lot of people Cap could have chosen as his successor. Bucky and Hawkeye would have been pretty high up the list. Had Black Widow survived, she would definitely have been in consideration, as well.
But Steve chose Sam to take the shield and everything that came with it. Sam didn't fully trust the call Steve made in this situati0n, and he should have. If he had trusted the decision Cap made, he would have at least tried to carry the shield.
2 Putting The Shield In A Museum
Regardless of the end result, putting the shield in a museum as a display wasn't the right choice. It's more than a potent symbol. It's one of the most impressive weapons on the planet as it's capable of absorbing an incredible amount of punishment.
Leaving it in a museum to live out its days was a complete waste of such a potent weapon. If Sam didn't want it, then he probably should have found another way to keep it in the field.
1 Not Believing In Himself
The biggest way that Sam disrespected Cap's legacy was by not believing in himself. He was one of Steve Rogers' closest friends, not to mention one of Captain America's closest allies. Cap knew that Sam was the right man for the job.
The ultimate reason that Sam handed the shield to the Smithsonian was that he didn't believe he was worthy of it. Steve Rogers did, though. Sam not believing in his ability to carry the shield was the worst betrayal of the Star Spangled Avenger's legacy.