NBA coach’s incredible press conference goes viral after mass shooting

Steve Kerr went viral for his astonishing press conference just hours before his NBA team stepped onto the floor for the playoffs.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr gave an emotional, impassioned press conference on Wednesday before his team’s playoff game against Dallas, slamming American politicians for doing nothing to curb gun violence in the US.

One teacher and 18 students were killed in a Texas primary school shooting on Wednesday. Salvador Ramos, 18, was identified as the shooter and police confirmed the suspect is dead.

Kerr — whose dad was killed by two gunmen when the former NBA star was just 18 — raged about laws regarding background checks for buying guns not being strict enough. He held back tears as he talked to the media before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, telling them “any basketball questions don’t matter”.

“When are we going to do something?!” Kerr yelled, as he slammed his fist down on the table.

“I’m tired. I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there.

“I’m sorry. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.

“There’s 50 senators right now who refuse to vote on HR8, which is a background check rule that the House passed a couple of years ago. It’s been sitting there for two years.

“There’s a reason they won’t vote on it, and that’s to hold onto power.

Steve Kerr wants action taken now. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“So I ask you … all of you Senators, who refuse to do anything about the violence and school shootings and supermarket shootings, I ask you, are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our churchgoers? because that’s what it looks like.

“I’m fed up, I’ve had enough. We’re going to play the game tonight. But I want every person here, every person listening to this, to think about your own child, grandchild, mother, father, sister, brother — how would you feel if this happened to you today?

“We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit and just read about it and go, well let’s have a moment of silence.

“We’re going to play a basketball game and 50 Senators in Washington are going to hold us hostage! Do you realise that 90 per cent of Americans, regardless of political party, want universal background checks? Ninety per cent of us!

“We are being held hostage by 50 Senators in Washington who refuse to even put it to a vote, despite what we the American people want.”

“They won’t vote on it because they want to hold onto their own power! It’s pathetic! I’ve had enough!” Kerr shouted, slamming the table again before he stormed off.

Videos of Kerr’s incredible speech flooded the internet and quickly went viral on social media.

A furious, emotional and fed up Steve Kerr pleaded with senators to do something about the mass shootings. pic.twitter.com/fmERY4izFl

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 24, 2022

Warriors star Steph Curry tweeted: “Watch this as much as you watch the game tonight.”

Cricket journalist Peter Lalor wrote: “Steve Kerry is extraordinarily angry, articulate and moving.”

NBA reporter Dan Wolke said: “This is the pain and passion of a man who had his family impacted by violence. When he asks people to imagine if this was there family, remember that Steve Kerr doesn’t have to.”

Newsreader Lui Zacher added: “Powerful. More figures in the US need to do this, bravo Steve Kerr.”

Radio broadcaster Brooklyne Beatty tweeted: “Thank you, Steve Kerr, for using your platform for good tonight.”

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of love ones loss & injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX! Like when is enough enough man!!! These are kids and we keep putting them in harms way at school. Like seriously "AT SCHOOL" where it's suppose to be the safest!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 24, 2022

There simply has to be change! HAS TO BE!! 😔😔😔😔🥺🥺🥺🥺.. Praying to the heavens above to all with kids these days in schools. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 24, 2022

Originally published as NBA coach’s incredible press conference goes viral after mass shooting