A Republican lawmaker introduced a resolution to honor Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell, denigrate Shaquille O’Neal

A Republican lawmaker introduced a resolution to honor Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell, denigrate Shaquille O’Neal

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Deputy Kera Birkeland’s resolution also proposes to make ‘Spida’ the official arachnid of the state

(Photos courtesy of Utah House Republicans / Twitter) Representative Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, right, presents a resolution in support of Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell at the Utah House of Representatives plenary, Tuesday, 26 January 2021. Mayor Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, left, wears a Mitchell shirt while voting on the resolution.

| January 26, 2021, 18:12

| Updated: 18:56

Congresswoman Kera Birkeland, a Republican representing Utah House District 53, presented a resolution to the state legislature on Tuesday that seeks to “recognize Donovan Mitchell’s exemplary service to Utah Jazz” and also “suggests consideration of making” Spida “the official arachnid of the state.”

The home vote comes days after Shaquille O’Neal criticized Mitchell after a Jazz victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, telling Mitchell “you don’t have what it takes to reach the next level” when the Lakers Hall of Fame started his Inside the NBA interview.
House Resolution 3, entitled “House Resolution Honoring Donovan Mitchell over Shaquille O’Neal” refers to O’Neal’s free throw percentage, the rating of Rotten Tomatoes’ Kazaam film, two victories in the Lakers Jazz series in 1997 and 1998, Shaq Videogame Fu.

“I think it is appropriate for the great state of Utah to reward Shaquille O’Neal with a technical foul,” said Birkeland, wearing an referee shirt while speaking on the floor of the House Tuesday morning.

“We are not talking about 2000, 2001, 2002 or 2006 now, the years when Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat won championships by Shaq,” notes the resolution.

The resolution, in addition to denigrating O’Neal, also defends Mitchell’s achievements inside and outside the courtroom.

“Whereas, while Shaq’s” ability “was to be greater than everyone else, Donovan progressively succeeded through talent, dedication and constant effort,” says the resolution.

At the end of the introductory remarks, the resolution resolves to acknowledge Mitchell’s service, asks the state House of Representatives to consider making “Spida” the official arachnid of the state, and further states “Right. That’s it. “At the end of the text.

But Birkeland met resistance from a handful of state lawmakers, who argued that O’Neal was a master of mind games and asked his colleagues not to take the bait.

“Not only did he get into Donovan Mitchell’s head, but I’m sure that everyone who voted yes to that, he would also rent a space in his head,” said House majority leader Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton. “But I support our Jazz. I support Donovan Mitchell. “

“Blah, blah, blah”, replied the Mayor, Brad Wilson, who wore a Jazz shirt. The resolution passed the House by a 67-5 vote.

Morgan’s Birkeland represents parts of Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich and Summit counties. She was nominated for the job by ex-governor Gary Herbert in April, after ex-congressman Logan Wilde resigned to become steward of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Birkeland was elected by a 63/36 margin over Democrat Cheryl Butler in November.

Bethany Rodgers contributed to the reporting of this story.

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