SEE IT: Fed-up Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks about gun violence before NBA showdown in Dallas
Brian Niemietz
Steve Kerr knows there are more important things than NBA championships.
Kerr’s Golden State Warriors were playing the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday knowing a victory would earn them a sweep of their Western Conference series and a spot in the NBA Finals. But the usually even-tempered coach first addressed gun violence before taking the court in Texas, where a gunman killed 18 elementary school students and at least one teacher before himself being shot dead.
Kerr started by telling reporters he was in no mood to speak about basketball 10 days after 10 shoppers were fatally shot in a Buffalo supermarket and a few hours and at least 19 people were killed 400 miles away in Uvalde, Texas.
“When are we going to do something?” an emotional Kerr demanded shorty after taking his seat.
“I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there — I’m tired of the moments of silence,” he said pounding the desk in front of him. “Enough!”
Kerr urged senators to take action and put the lives of Americans ahead of their own political ambitions.
“We can’t get numb to this!” he said. “We can’t just sit here, read about it, have a moment of silence, and yell, ‘Go Dubs! Come on Mavs, let’s go!’”
Reacting to the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting earlier in the day, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr makes a statement before Warriors played the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Dallas.
Reacting to the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting earlier in the day, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr makes a statement before Warriors played the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Dallas. (Scott Strazzante/)
Among Kerr’s complaints is that some members of Congress are resistant to universal background checks that would be popular among the general population.
Kerr, who asked those who saw his video to think about how they’d feel if one of their loved ones had been killed in Texas Tuesday, comes from a family all too familiar with gun violence. When he was a freshman basketball player at the University of Arizona, his father was shot dead while working as an educator in Lebanon.
Kladys Castellón prays during a vigil for the victims of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement.
A person sits next to a vehicle outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement.
Mourners attend a vigil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for victims of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed before the gunman was fatally shot by law enforcement.
People pray at Sacred Heart Church Tuesday evening, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas after a gunman earlier in the day entered Robb Elementary School and killed multiple children and adults.
The home of suspected gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, is cordoned off with police tape on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, Ramos killed 19 students and 2 adults in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
Law enforcement work the scene after a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School where 21 people, including 19 children, were killed on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The suspected gunman, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement.
The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, right, comforts families outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Members of the community gather at the City of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed before the gunman was fatally shot by law enforcement.
An officer walks outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer speaks with people outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement, and other first responders, gather outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer speaks with people outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel stand next to an armored vehicle outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Emergency personnel gather near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer helps people cross the street at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after a shooting was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel, including the FBI, gather near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel walk outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement, and other first responders, gather outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer helps people cross the street at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after a shooting was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People react outside the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People wait outside of the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People sit on the curb outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
A welcome sign is seen outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
Warriors star Stephen Curry showed support for his coach on Twitter.
“Watch this as much as you watch the game tonight,” he wrote alongside video of Kerr’s stirring speech.
Los Angeles Lakers star and Warriors rival LeBron James also tweeted Kerr’s video and voiced support.
