Mike Krzyzewski overcame basketball on Saturday during his press conference after the Wake Forest game, giving a chilling response when asked about Wednesday’s Capitol riots.
“Wednesday was a horrible day. It was an insurrection. It was for the very fabric of this great country, where the symbol of our democracy is the Capitol, ”said Krzyzewski at his first press conference since the disturbances. “And we allowed that symbol to really just be spit and stepped on.”
Although the press conference was virtual, the clear passion and emotion in Krzyzewski’s voice gave his words a significant impact that resonated deeply.
“It is not about being a Republican or a Democrat. It’s about being a bloody American. Be an American. Work together, ”said Krzyzewski.
Before his tenure as Duke, Krzyzewski played and trained at West Point and, on Saturday, emphasized the importance of our country having to look well in the mirror.
“People say that we are not that – it is who we are now. It is who we are. We need to change who we are. We need to go back to the basic principles that founded this country. “
Krzyzewski sent his thoughts and prayers not only to the family of the Capitol police officer who died during the riots, but also to the 16,000 Americans who died due to COVID-19 last week.
“What the hell are we doing? What the hell are we doing when we can’t work as a country to come together and launch these vaccines, make sure we’re working together, ”said Krzyzewski. “And if someone is doing something bad, Congress has a responsibility to step forward.”
He added that all people involved in the disturbances must be prosecuted and politicians who expressed support for the disturbances must be “punished”.
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As for the country’s future, Krzyzewski came out with that.
“I am used to being part of a team. Our country needs to be a team again. “