Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy apologizes for wearing OAN shirt, says he's 'disgusted' by the far-right network's stance on Black Lives Matter
- Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy apologized for being photographed while wearing a One America News shirt.
- Gundy had been called out by his superstar running back Chuba Hubbard on Monday after the photo of him wearing the OAN shirt was posted on social media.
- In his apology, Gundy said that a team meeting and seeing the way that One America News characterized the Black Lives Matter movement made him realize why the network was hurtful.
- "Once I learned how that network felt about Black Lives Matter, I was disgusted, and knew it was completely unacceptable to me," Gundy said.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy posted a video apology on Tuesday night after being called out by some of his current and former players when a photograph of him wearing a shirt with the logo of One America News — a far-right, pro-Trump network that has boosted conspiracy theories — made the rounds on social media.
"I had a great meeting with our team today," Gundy said in the video posted on Twitter. "Our players expressed their feelings as individuals and as team members. They helped me see through their eyes how the t-shirt affected their hearts."
Gundy said he had a turning point when he realized how the network, which he had praised as having "no commentary" and "no opinions" but rather "just the news" in the past, treated the Black Lives Matter movement.
In a clip that was widely shared on social media after Gundy's photo surfaced, One America News anchor Liz Wheeler referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as "a farce."
"Once I learned how that network felt about Black Lives Matter, I was disgusted, and knew it was completely unacceptable to me," Gundy said. "I want to apologize to all members of our team, former players, and their families, for the pain and discomfort that has been caused over the last two days.
"Black lives matter to me. Our players matter to me. These meetings with our team have been eye-opening, and will result in positive changes for Oklahoma State football. I sincerely hope the Oklahoma State family near and far will accept my humble apology as we move forward," Gundy said.
Gundy had initially been called out by his star running back Chuba Hubbard, who led the nation in rushing in 2019 and is expected to contend for the Heisman in the coming season.
"I will not stand for this," Hubbard wrote on Twitter as the photograph made the rounds on social media. "This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it's unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE."
Later on Monday evening, Hubbard and Gundy posted a video together addressing the situation, with Hubbard apologizing for the way he handled his criticism of Gundy. On Tuesday, it was Gundy's turn to apologize.
While the air appears to have cleared a bit between Gundy and his players, Hubbard assured fans that he was not done pushing for change.
"No don't get it twisted," Hubbard tweeted on Monday. "Foots still on the gas. Results are coming. It's not over."
After Gundy posted his apology on Tuesday, Hubbard called it a "step in the right direction."
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