Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have already spoken out in support of Colin Kaepernick and his protest, and Steve Kerr is troubled by the tragic events unfolding in our country.
There’s a great story on The Undefeated by Marc J. Spears about Kerr’s views on not only the state of our country, but how he and the team plan to address the National Anthem before games.
Multiple football players have joined Kaepernick’s protest against this country’s treatment of people of color, as well as U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
There’s a lot of speculation about whether NBA players will also protest the National Anthem, and with the Warriors’ first preseason game on October 1st, Kerr plans to discuss with the team their options.
“We will absolutely talk about it as a team before our first game,” said Kerr. “I’ve kind of given them my opinion. We’ve shared thoughts. That’s kind of the way we do things around here.”
Steve Kerr said Americans should be “disgusted” by latest fatal shooting, regardless of feelings toward Kaepernick. https://t.co/b6NK8pGLR1
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 22, 2016
Kerr has cultivated a very open atmosphere within the locker room, and it speaks volumes to the cohesion on the team that a coach and player can talk about serious issues freely like this.
“We like to talk about stuff, basketball or not,” said Kerr. “It’s probably one of the best things that’s come out of the Kaepernick issue is that people are talking about it. That’s a good thing.”
The tragic news of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott being killed by police officers are more examples of what Kaepernick is talking about, and Kerr thinks that people should really be outraged about it.
“It doesn’t matter what side you’re on, with the Kaepernick stuff, you better be disgusted about things that are happening,” said Kerr.
A huge debate has been evoked about the merits of Kaepernick’s methods regarding the flag, but Kerr wishes that people would focus on the message more.
NBA & NBPA have sent the players a joint letter announcing they are working together on… https://t.co/iWsctLWRLZ pic.twitter.com/YVjJ8sy9Kg
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) September 22, 2016
“Unarmed black people are being killed indiscriminately around the country,” said Kerr. “And that’s what happened two days ago. That’s the message. The other stuff you can talk about all day. Nobody is right. Nobody is wrong.”
Kerr also urges his players to proceed carefully with social commentary, but encourages it if they feel passionate about a certain issue.
“It’s a tricky topic,” said Kerr. “Not the Kaepernick situation, but social activism in general. It has to come from the heart.”
Kerr sounds like a real players’ coach, and that he’ll support them if they use their platform to try to bring about change.
It’s going to be very interesting to see what the team decides to do on October 1st, as well as how other teams handle this delicate situation.