Steve Kerr: All Americans Should Be 'Disgusted with What Is Going on Around the Country'

Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images(OAKLAND, Calif.) — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered his thoughts on Colin Kaepernick’s protests, supporting the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in his decision to kneel during the national anthem.

Kerr called the discourse that has grown out of Kaepernick’s protests “probably one of the best things that’s come out of [it],” adding that “no matter which side of the spectrum you’re on, I would hope that every American is disgusted with what is going on around the country.” He specifically referenced the shooting death of Terence Crutcher at the hands of a police officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma earlier this week.

Kerr told reporters that he understood people who may be turned off by the way Kaepernick has gone about his protest. “Maybe they have a military family member who is offended,” he offered, “maybe they lost somebody in a war and that flag or the anthem means a lot more to them than someone else.”

“But when you flip it around,” Kerr said, “and what about non-violent protests? That’s America. This is what our country is about.”

Video of that Kerr quote on Kaep, non-violent protesting pic.twitter.com/KtvpAhbgpy

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 21, 2016

He also said that he has spoken to a number of Warriors players, and that he will address the whole team before the NBA season begins. Kerr also said he would support any Warriors players who decide to speak out.

“As  long as the message is clear, I’m all for people speaking out against injustice. Whatever form that takes, if it’s non-violent and it leads to conversation, then I think that’s a good thing.”

Earlier this summer, NBA stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul stepped onto the stage to address gun violence in America, saying something needed to be done. Athletes have raised concerns, both about recent shooting deaths of black men at the hands of police officers, as well as the increased violence in cities, notably Chicago.

Wade’s cousin was fatally shot in Chicago earlier this month while she walked her child in a stroller.

 Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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