The top soccer coach at Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy, has confronted on-line wrath after being seen in a t-shirt bearing the emblem of a conservative TV community, prompting requires his firing and a star participant to boycott the group.
OSU coach Gundy sparked controversy on Monday, showing in a photograph on-line sporting a One America Information (OAN) shirt, a right-of-center media outlet which frequently voices staunch help for US President Donald Trump. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the wardrobe alternative – on a non-public fishing journey, no much less – landed Gundy in hassle, with star working again Chuba Hubbard vowing to disassociate from the group fully till “issues change.”
“I cannot stand for this. That is utterly insensitive to all the things happening in society, and it’s unacceptable,” Hubbard wrote on Twitter, apparently referring to ongoing police brutality protests throughout the US. “I cannot be doing something with Oklahoma State till issues CHANGE.”
I cannot stand for this.. That is utterly insensitive to all the things happening in society, and it’s unacceptable. I cannot be doing something with Oklahoma State till issues CHANGE. https://t.co/psxPn4Khoq
— Chuba Hubbard (@Hubbard_RMN) June 15, 2020
Whereas it’s not clear whether or not Hubbard was calling for Gundy’s termination or another type of self-discipline, various fellow gamers rapidly threw help behind their teammate, together with linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga and offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.
Netizens additionally joined the shaming parade, arguing that the t-shirt was itself tantamount to racism as a result of OAN has positioned itself towards Black Lives Matter – with a bunch as soon as deeming the motion a “farce.” One particularly zealous critic insisted that Gundy ought to lose his job in need of agreeing to obtain “intensive psychological assist” for his apparently pathological vogue sense.
Yeah I’ve a troublesome time defending racism.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) June 15, 2020
Individuals who promote the racist propaganda hate speech on OANN are harmful thugs. They don’t have any place in respectable society. Mike Gundy can’t stay the OK State head coach. Too influential of a place in society. Fireplace him, except he agrees to get intensive psychological assist.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) June 15, 2020
Some detractors defended Gundy’s proper to decorate himself – fairly generously – however mentioned that gamers had the identical proper to precise themselves freely, together with to boycott the group over their coach’s perceived misdeed.
Mike Gundy can put on no matter he desires, however no matter he wears could have penalties. #OKState gamers are letting their voices be heard.
— Jenni Carlson (@JenniCarlson_OK) June 15, 2020
Quite a few commenters rallied to the coach’s protection, nonetheless, voicing disbelief that merely watching “the flawed TV community” might end in profession destruction and widespread vilification.
I hate OAN too, however rattling, loopy to suppose how if you happen to watch the flawed TV community these days, you could be slammed as a racist and many others. with out even realizing the particular person. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place we’re with free speech in 20-30 years.
— BigSabs (@BigSabs_) June 15, 2020
You gained’t stand for a man sporting a t-shirt you don’t like? Do you suppose you ought to be the one dressing him each morning? I imply the narcissism is off the charts. Good Lord.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 15, 2020
“I cannot stand for any person who has a distinct opinion than me,” one other netizen mentioned, describing the angle of Gundy’s critics.
The president of the college, Burns Hargis, additionally quickly weighed in with a tweet, stating the college administration wouldn’t “tolerate insensitive conduct,” prompting suspicions that Gundy could quickly be handed the pink slip.
I hear and respect the considerations expressed by our Black student-athletes. This can be a time for unity of function to confront racial inequities and injustice. We is not going to tolerate insensitive conduct by anybody at Oklahoma State.
— Burns Hargis (@burnshargis) June 15, 2020
Drew Brees is on his tenth apology by now for not disavowing his nation and Mike Gundy might presumably be fired for sporting an OAN shirt.
We stay in an unpleasant world the place dissenting opinions from the cultural elites will destroy your profession. https://t.co/QL9uFUYzAK
— Greg Worth (@greg_price11) June 15, 2020
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