Steve Kerr went viral for his amazing press conference just hours before his NBA team reached the playoffs.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr on Wednesday gave an emotional and passionate press conference ahead of his team’s playoff game against Dallas, criticizing U.S. politicians for doing nothing to curb armed violence in the U.S.
A teacher and 18 students were killed Wednesday in a shooting at a Texas elementary school. Salvador Ramos, 18, was identified as the shooter and police confirmed that the suspect was dead.
Kerr, whose father was killed by two gunmen when the former NBA star was just 18, became enraged because the laws on background checks for buying weapons were not strict enough. He held back tears as he spoke to the media before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, telling them that “any question about basketball doesn’t matter.”
“When are we going to do something ?!” he shouted at Kerr as he punched the table.
“I am tired. I am very tired of coming up here and offering my condolences to the devastated families there.
“I’m sorry. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.
“Right now there are 50 senators who are refusing to vote HR8, which is a background check rule that the House passed a couple of years ago. It’s been sitting there for two years.
“There is a reason they will not vote, and that is to keep power.
“So I ask you … all of you senators, to refuse to do anything about violence and shootings in schools and shootings in supermarkets, I ask you, you will put your own desire for power ahead of life. of our children and our elders — and our faithful — because that is how it looks.
“I am fed up, I have had enough. We will play the game tonight. But I want every person here, every person who hears this, to think of their own child, grandson, mother, father, sister, brother, how would you feel if this happened to you today?
“We can’t fall asleep with that. We can’t just sit and read and walk away, so we take a moment of silence.
“We’re going to play a basketball game and 50 senators in Washington are going to take us hostage! Do you realize that 90 percent of Americans, regardless of political party, want universal background checks? Ninety percent of us!
“We are being held hostage by 50 senators in Washington who are even refusing to vote, despite what we want the American people to do.”
“They will not vote for him because they want to maintain their own power! It’s pathetic! I’ve had enough! “Kerr shouted, slapping the table again before leaving otherwise.
Videos of Kerr’s incredible speech flooded the Internet and quickly went viral on social media.
Warriors star Steph Curry tweeted, “Watch this as much as you watch tonight’s game.”
Cricket journalist Peter Lalor wrote: “Steve Kerry is extraordinarily angry, articulate and touching.”
NBA reporter Dan Wolke said: “This is the pain and passion of a man whose family was affected by violence. When you ask people to imagine if there is a family, remember that Steve Kerr doesn’t have to. “
News reader Lui Zacher added, “Powerful. More figures in the United States need to do this, bravo Steve Kerr.”
Brooklyne radio station Beatty tweeted, “Thank you, Steve Kerr, for using your platform for tonight.”