Should sports personalities have a social voice?

Steve Spurrier spoke. And it wasn’t about recruiting or starting quarterbacks or his old stomping grounds winning a National Championship.

It was about the state he coached in; not about bringing wins to it, but removing the South from South Carolina.

“The Old Ball Coach” elaborated on his feelings about South Carolina continuing to sport the Confederate flag in its state capital, calling it an embarrasment for him and his players. He cited a game last year when ESPN’s Game Day crew was at the South Carolina stadium and someone was waving the Confederate flag in the background.

The reaction to Spurrier’s comments have been split. Some people have lauded him for what he said, bringing a new voice to an old debate. Others have given him the Dixie Chicks treatment, telling him to just coach football and keep his mouth shut.

But why? Sports icons are some of the most influential voices in scaping culture beyond the arena. This past week, the ceremonies for the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game have taught us that sports have completely altered the way we look at society. Former athletes have become Congressmen, have worked to fight various diseases and end poverty in third world countries. Why is Spurrier any different?

The topic was very controversial, and the proximity in which he brought up the issue to those who would be greatly offended was very close. However, if anything Spurrier should have just as much of a right to speak as anyone else. Outside of having to recruit African-American athletes to a state that still proudly flies a symbol of slavery, Spurrier is also responsible for molding the minds of the young men he brings to his University. What kind of mentor would he be if he taught the kids to keep their opinions to themeselves, that you’re just an athlete and people just want to see you throw and catch, not speak your mind on politics and social issues?

This is America, the land of free speech. It’s ironic that those cursing Spurrier are supporting a symbol of suppression.

But maybe the most important factor in Spurrier said was not the words themeselves, but the voice in which he said it. In his perfect Southern dialect, Spurrier spoke in the same voice of those who raise this flag of hatred, which is why his words are so threatening.

Spurrier can become a football god in South Carolina, especially if he brings the state a National Championship. And his beautifully twangy voice will only grow stronger. You won’t be able to keep him from speaking, and you have no right to.

First I’d like to address the previous post in which I said that the Warriors needed to lose both games and the Clippers needed to win both of their games in order to gain the #8 spot in the West. That was incorrect, as the Clippers could gain the 8-spot if they win out and the Warriors lose one game out of the two. I apologize for the miscalculation and will promise to try better in the future. The complications surrounding the NBA tiebreaker system seem to have gotten the best of me tonight.

Anyway, the Warriors and Clippers were both victorious tonight, and the Warriors moved closer to the playoffs with a 111-82 drubbing of the Dallas Mavericks. Their record for the season remained perfect against the Mavs, something that Houston, Phoenix, and San Antonio cannot say. The Clippers also squeaked out a 103-99 victory over the Suns and still have a shot at the playoffs. If the Clippers win Wednesday against the Hornets and the Warriors fall to Portland, the Clippers will win the rights to face Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.

Although this is an uncertainty at this point, the Mavs might be paying attention to the scoreboards on Wednesday, as they have struggled against the Warriors all year. I’m sure they’ll have plenty of time to pay attention to every game and every cute fan in attendance as the starters rest on the bench Wednesday against Seattle.
Stay tuned for more playoff updates and predictions and, as always, Go Bulls.