There are few American organizations more conservative than the SEC — the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference. It is notable for some big-name football coaches — Alabama’s Bear Bryant being the foremost — and ex-Auburn coach, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) being the most notorious outside the sport.
So it is telling that one of its most revered names, retired coach Steve Spurrier, has unequivocally called for the banning of AR-15 rifles. Spurrier, who coached two SEC teams — the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks — is known for having no filter and speaking his mind. And what was on his mind during his 9/10 “Inside the Huddle” podcast was the latest mass school shooting — this time at Apalachee High School, Barrow County, GA.
He noted that one of the four shot dead — 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall — was the defensive coordinator for the school’s football team.
He went on to say it was insane that it is legal for American civilians to buy war weapons. He made it clear he is not against guns for self-defense. But he does think that sanity demands limits. As he put it:
“Why in the world, in America, are you eligible to walk into a gun store and buy an AR-15 rifle? They should have a sign: ‘If you need a gun for mass school shooting, here’s your AR-15. We’ll give you a discount.’ Why don’t they just put that sign up there? That’s the only thing they’re used for! You don’t need them for self-defense; and yet, we sit here and say, ‘Blah, blah, blah.’
We’re messed up in America to allow sick people to have these guns! It ain’t gonna stop until they get all these guns out of the way! You can carry your six shooter, protect yourself. We’re all for; but these AR-15s are for mass shootings in the schools and we sit here and allow it to happen in America. Makes me sick!”
Predictably the gun-nuts told him to stick to coaching. Called him constitutionally illiterate. Said that AR-15s are used for self-defense all the time. And accused him of going woke.
On the other hand, people who support sane gun laws and believe that school kids have the right to not be shot, (i.e. the majority of Americans) were generally supportive.
I suspect that Spurrier knew his opinion would not be received amicably in the MAGA sewer. And I know that he doesn’t give a shit about that.
It is not the first time he has said something conservative whites will whine about. In 2007, as the head coach of South Carolina, he expressed his feelings about the fans who waved the Confederate flag around before and during games.
“I realize I’m not supposed to get in the political arena as a football coach, but if anybody were ever to ask me about that damn Confederate flag, I would say we need to get rid of it. I’ve been told not to talk about that. But if anyone were ever to ask me about it, I certainly wish we could get rid of it.”
This is not a man who worries about what people think of him.
Below is a Twitter video of Spurrier’s remarks on guns. But if you prefer not to open a Twitter link, you can click HERE for the podcast episode.
Click HERE for a Twitter video of Spurrier’s remarks on guns.
