In a speech on the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz.
“I know full well that it is risky to speak out politically these days,” Kerr said. “I see the 'shut up and whistle' tweets being fired off at this moment. But I also knew when I was asked that it is too important as an American citizen not to speak out in an election of this magnitude.”
Kerr is a vocal activist for gun safety laws and other social issues and causes. He has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump and endorsed President Joe Biden within the 2020 general election.
Although speaking in front of a stadium filled with politicians is latest territory for the top coach, the United Center was a well-known setting. As Kerr took the rostrum, large screens showed highlights of his game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals in the identical arena.
“It's so much fun to be back here at the United Center,” Kerr began. “As you all know, a lot of good things happened in this building – especially in the '90s. You young people, Google 'Michael Jordan' and you can read all about it.”
Just a few days after the Olympics, Kerr said he was invited to talk on the DNC, explaining that as a husband, son, father and American citizen, he couldn’t turn down the chance to make his voice heard.
Although, as Kerr suggested, there may be all the time backlash when athletes speak out about politics, sports and politics are continuously intertwined. At the Republican National Convention earlier this summer, former wrestler Hulk Hogan and UFC CEO Dana White spoke. Former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker lost his Senate run in 2022, and former Dodger Steve Garvey is currently running for a Senate seat in California.
Kerr took the rostrum lower than 10 minutes after Harris made his opening remarks; the Oakland native is scheduled to deliver a lengthy speech Thursday night. Harris, the Democratic nominee, is a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general and United States senator.
Kerr's speech to the DNC focused largely on unifying themes based on his experience as coach of the U.S. team that won the gold medal on the Paris Olympics earlier this month. He spoke of coming together to form a more perfect union, not divided by party lines but as teammates.
He made it very clear which candidate represents this value within the 2024 presidential election.
“I believe leaders must demonstrate dignity,” Kerr said. “I believe leaders should tell the truth. I believe leaders must care about and love the people they lead. I believe leaders must have knowledge and expertise, but realize that none of us have all the answers. And if you look for those qualities in your friends, your boss, a co-worker, your child's teacher, or your mayor, shouldn't you want those same qualities in your president? And when you think about it that way, it's not a competition.”
There can be no NBA games on Election Day, which this 12 months falls on November 5. Until then, Kerr promised to assist people vote for Harris and Walz.
“And when the results are counted this evening, we can, in the words of the great Steph Curry, say 'goodnight' to Donald Trump.”
Originally published:
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