Mike Gundy Speaks on George Floyd Death: ‘We Must Work Harder Together’

Following Oklahoma State basketball coach Mike Boynton’s statement on the grotesque George Floyd death earlier this week, Mike Gundy also spoke out on Sunday.

“I can’t stop thinking about the horrible situation that happened in Minneapolis earlier this week,” wrote Gundy. “I’ve been at a loss for words to describe the shocking video of George Floyd. My heart and prayers go out to his family.

“This disgraceful event means we must work harder together every day to put an end to the mistreatment of black Americans in our country. I’m thankful to be in an environment with Oklahoma State football and our Cowboy culture where we respect each other.

“The 200 people in our family understand and appreciate diversity and have compassion for one another. I hope we replace the rage with respect and all come together.”

That’s not just lip service either. It’s a sentiment that was more or less echoed by his star linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga in a statement of his own on Twitter.

There’s not a lot to add that Gundy (and Boynton and Ogbongbemiga) didn’t already cover. The last few days have been a blight on a country that has been stacking them up for a while.

It’s good for powerful people like Boynton and (especially) Gundy to talk openly and honestly about all of this for a few reasons. 1. They are powerful and their words have effect. 2. It’s a conversation we all need to have more often and with greater empathy that their willingness to speak about makes it a little bit easier to have.

Generations of pain. pic.twitter.com/rs16sHhs6m

— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) May 31, 2020

3. It shines a light on ways in which kindness, love and compassion actually do exist between different races and cultures in our country (and around the world). 4. It doesn’t seem to be getting any better, and if the past few years are any indication these voices will only have to become stronger and louder in the future.

Of course all of this is nonsense if it’s backed by inaction from the voice that spoke it in the first place. Gundy has been good in this area, though, and his words are meaningful. I’m glad he said them, glad he put them out there just like I’m glad Boynton did as well.

This has been a disturbing week within a disturbing year. And while the sorrow that shakes the tendrils of our hearts will likely wax and wane for as long as we exist on Earth, there is most certainly hope. Both a hope in the present that kindness will replace wickedness and empathy will replace dogmatism.

So there is the hope that Gundy laid out, but there is also a greater hope of what’s to come. On Sunday, the pastor of the church I serve at, Kyle Worley, spoke on this future hope and how it should affect the way we live in the present day. It’s excellent and much-needed in this moment in time, and I’m proud of him and you should listen to or watch it over the next few days.