Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks at the DNC

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. It's so much fun to be back here at the United Center. And as you know, a lot of good things happened in this building, especially in the '90s. You young people, Google Michael Jordan and you can read all about it. OK? There was an incredible spirit in this building back then, and I feel that same winning spirit tonight. The last time I was in a packed basketball arena was nine days ago in Paris, France. Some of the best players in the world, 12 incredible American men, came together to win Olympic gold. And the next night, I was back in the same building watching 12 more of the best players in the world. Our incredible American women are doing the same thing, and I can't think of a better metaphor for what this country is about than the way Team USA came together at the Olympics. We had players from all over our wonderful country, players who trained and fought tirelessly, shed tears to beat each other throughout their careers, and came together to carry the red, white, and blue of the national team. And when we won, the American flag was flown to the roof, the national anthem was played, and our players wore gold medals around their necks and held their hands over their hearts. That was the proudest moment of my life and that of few. Thank you. I never could have imagined that. *** A few days later, I received an invitation to enter *** another arena. And here I am. I know, I know very well, that speaking out politically these days comes with risks. I see the “shut up and whistle” tweets being fired off at this very moment. But I also knew when I was asked that as an American citizen, it was too important not to speak out in an election of this magnitude. The reason I agreed to speak here tonight is because as a *** coach and former player, as a *** husband, *** son, *** father, even *** grandfather, and as an American, I believe in *** a certain kind of leadership. I believe leaders must demonstrate dignity. I believe leaders must tell the truth. I believe leaders should be able to laugh at themselves. I believe leaders must care about and love the people they lead. I believe leaders must have knowledge and expertise, but realize that none of us have all the answers. And in fact, some of the best answers often come from members of the team. And if you look for those qualities in your friends or your boss or a co-worker or your child's teacher or your mayor, shouldn't you want those qualities in your president? And when you think about it that way, this is not a competition with Kamala Harris and Tim Walls. I see all of those qualities that they have dedicated their lives to serving other people. Whether it was Vice President Harris defending her community in the courtroom or Governor Walls inspiring the next generation in the classroom or on the field. By the way, from coach to coach, this guy is great. Although I must say, Coach Walls relied way too much on the blitz in '99 against Mankato East, you had one hell of a defensive line. I would have played more press coverage with your cornerbacks and then moved the safeties to the *** Tampa two. That's just my opinion. Excuse me, I wanted to let you know how I feel every day of the NBA season. Oh well. But listen, the joy, the compassion, the commitment to our country that we saw at the Olympics. That's what Kamala Harris and Tim Walls are. And that's what our country needs: leadership, real leadership, not the kind that tries to divide us but the kind that recognizes and celebrates our common goal. Think of what our team of 12 Americans accomplished in Paris by putting rivalries aside to represent our country. And now imagine what we could accomplish if all 330 million of us were on the same team. Not as, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as Libertarians, but as Americans who know that the greatness of this nation comes not from any one of us, but from each of us doing our part to build an even more perfect union. That is the vision that this campaign is about. That is why I am here tonight and that is why I will go out every day to help people vote on November 5th and elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walls as the next president and vice president of the United States. And when the results are counted that evening, in the words of the great Steph Curry, we can say goodnight to Donald Trump. Thank you.

Video: Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks at the DNC

Updated: 7:17 p.m. PDT, August 19, 2024

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday night, drawing applause after mentioning his role as coach of the U.S. national basketball team that won gold at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. “I can't think of a better metaphor for what this country is about than the way Team USA came together at the Olympics,” Kerr said. “We had players from across our wonderful country – players who have trained and fought tirelessly, who have shed tears over the course of their careers to defeat each other – joining forces to wear the red, white and blue national team,” he said. Kerr is a supporter of the Biden administration and has previously spoken out on issues such as reducing gun violence. Harris, who is from California, is also an avid Warriors fan. Watch Kerr's full speech in the video player above.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday night and drew applause after mentioning his role as coach of the U.S. national basketball team that won gold at the Paris Olympics earlier this month.

“I can't think of a better metaphor for what this country is about than the way the U.S. team came together at the Olympics,” Kerr said. “We had players from all over the country – players who trained and fought tirelessly, who shed tears over the course of their careers to defeat each other – combining their forces to carry the red, white and blue of the national team,” he said.

Kerr supports the Biden administration and has previously spoken out on issues such as reducing gun violence. Harris, a California native, is also an avid Warriors fan.

Watch Kerr's full speech in the video player above.