Jim Boeheim uses 900th victory spotlight to plead for gun control reforms
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim isn't the first figure from the sports world to take the opportunity to make a political point with the spotlight shining on him and he won't be the last.
Boeheim became only the third men's coach in Division I history to win 900 games Monday night when the Orange beat Detroit 72-68. At the tail end of his postgame press conference, Boeheim spoke out about his belief that more gun control is needed in America after the tragedy last week at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
A gunman killed 20 children and seven adults Friday in a mass shooting spree. The nation continued to mourn the deaths Monday as some of the first funerals were held for victims.
[Related: Syracuse holds on for Jim Boeheim's 900th career victory]
"This will probably offend some people,'' Boeheim said without being steered toward the topic by reporters. "If we in this country as Americans cannot get the people that represent us to do something about firearms, we are a sad, sad society. I'm a hunter. I've hunted. I'm not talking about rifles. That's fine. If one person in this world; the NRA president, anybody, can tell me why we need assault weapons with 30 shots in the thing. This is our fault. This is my fault and your fault. All of your faults if we don't get out and do something about this.''
It will be interesting to see in the coming days what impact Boeheim's plea has and if other athletes and entertainers choose to follow his lead.
Follow Kyle on Twitter @KyleRingo
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