The devastating massacre that took place last week at a South Carolina church has called even more negative attention to the state’s use of the Confederate flag. That’s an issue that University of South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier tried to address years ago.
As Pete Volk of SB Nation reminded us, Spurrier was asked in 2007 about the Confederate flag still flying on the grounds of the South Carolina Capitol building. He didn’t hold back.
“My opinion is we don’t need the Confederate flag at our Capitol,” Spurrier said at the time, according to The Associated Press. “I don’t really know anybody that wants it there, but I guess there are a lot of South Carolinians that do want it there.
“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.”
Spurrier also called it “embarrassing” that someone was waving the Confederate flag behind the set of ESPN’s College GameDay in 2006 before the Gamecocks played. Here’s a video of him making the comments:
Spurrier is well known for trying to ruffle feathers by making controversial remarks, but there was nothing sarcastic about his thoughts on the Confederate flag several years ago. The tragic shooting that left nine dead last week has had an effect on a lot of people — even in the sports world. It’s time for South Carolina to wake up and acknowledge why the flag is considered offensive.
