While the Golden State Warriors are in Texas to take on the Dallas Mavericks for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the focus of Warriors coach Steve Kerr is elsewhere in the state.
In his pregame press conference, Kerr quickly announced that nothing regarding the team had changed since its practice early in the day. What had changed was that since that practice, a shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas had taken place. In his press conference, Kerr said that 14 children and a teacher had been killed. That number has, sadly, since increased to 18 children and an adult.
With that in mind, Kerr wanted to talk about the shooting and the lack of action in the United State Senate to even vote on a measure that would require background checks.
Steve Kerr on today's tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. pic.twitter.com/lsJ8RzPcmC
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 24, 2022
Kerr has had experience with gun violence. His father, Malcolm Kerr, was the president of the American University in Beirut when he was murdered by two gunmen while Steve was at the University of Arizona. He also played two separate stints with the San Antonio Spurs in his career and Uvalde is roughly 80 miles outside of San Antonio.
Many people on social media heard Kerr’s comments and rallied behind them.
Stop and listen https://t.co/0dCvqEdXYa
— D.J. Short (@djshort) May 25, 2022
All of this https://t.co/4RB3p2ujHx
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisWSMV) May 25, 2022
“They won’t vote on it because they want to hold onto their power. It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough.”
So much anger, grief and tears right now. Worth listening to Coach Kerr here.#Uvalde #massshooting https://t.co/YdAugH5bf1
— Christine Ni 倪君怡 (@christineniSF) May 25, 2022
Steve Kerr. Speaking for us all right now. https://t.co/acP34Gc3o9
— Mike Aubrey (@mikeaubrey) May 25, 2022
Listen and think about Steve Kerr's words. https://t.co/64scikpvv1
— Joe Schmit (@JoeSchmitKSTP) May 25, 2022
Thanks for speaking out, Steve Kerr https://t.co/gfBZ4oxvk4
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) May 25, 2022
I absolutely love that Steve Kerr and a good amount of the NBA are willing to speak so clearly and consistently about this stuff but what does it say about our Government that I am turning to an NBA coach for moral guidance at this moment instead of any elected official? https://t.co/WcjRqg3aoK
— Roger (Perpetual Stu) (@iamtherog) May 25, 2022
Additional statements have been issued by professional sports teams in Texas including the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. The Mavericks also retweeted the NBA’s statement, as well as Kerr’s press conference. Dallas coach Steve Kerr also made a statement about the shooting in his press conference.
Jason Kidd opened his pregame presser by recognizing the Uvalde, Texas, victims and community.
He didn’t want to talk about basketball.
“As coaches or fathers, we have kids. Elementary school, you just think I about what could take place with any of your family at school.” pic.twitter.com/NNrm9Zr4om
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) May 24, 2022
Further updates regarding the situation in Dallas can be found at CNN.com.
