Steph Curry is a star on the court, crossing up and dropping threes on opponents every night without the in-your-face displays that other players exhibit.
Off the court, Curry is a man who shuns the limelight, particularly when it comes to politics. But when it hits home, Steph speaks up, albeit rather reluctantly. Last year when the discussions of the All Star Game being played in North Carolina after the passage of the HB2 surfaced, they went to NC native Stephen Curry for a comment. After initially refusing to comment on the situation, Curry finally issued a statement:
I knew I would be asked about my views on the situation in North Carolina and potential ramifications on next years All-Star Game in Charlotte, which I hope can be resolved. While I dont know enough about the North Carolina law to comment more fully, no one should be discriminated against. My faith and beliefs have always been the bedrock of my life. As a Christian, I am taught that we are all equal in the eyes of God. So I treat everyone the way I want to be treatedfairly, justly and equally. I hope that is how we all treat each other.
Some were upset at Curry for not releasing a stronger statement against the bill, particularly in support of the LGBT community, but others felt that Curry’s words were very strong and supportive and that if they understood how hesitant he is around discussing politics, they would recognize just how impactful his statement was.
Well today Steph was given another opportunity to take a stand of a social issue and he didn’t shoot an air ball.
After Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank commented on how Trump was an “asset” for the country, Curry responded with “I agree with that description, if you remove the et from asset.”
You could almost hear Mike Breen yelling “From way downtown….bang!”
Curry was obviously shocked to hear that Plank was complimenting Trump after all of his blatantly divisive moves and policies.
“I spent all day yesterday on the phone, Curry said, with countless people at Under Armour, countless people in Kevin Planks camp, my team, trying to understand what was going on and where everybody stood on the issue. Based off the release that KP sent out this morning, and what he told me last night, thats the Under Armour that I know. Thats the brand I know hes built and one that, as of Wednesday afternoon, is something that Im standing on.”
Plank and Under Armour jumped into immediate damage control mode, speaking with their superstar directly and issuing a statement clarifying Plank’s comments and the company’s stance as it relates to inclusion and diversity.
To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country, Plank said. People can really grab that opportunity.
At Under Armour, our culture has always been about optimism, teamwork, and unity. We have engaged with both the prior and the current administrations in advocating on business issues that we believe are in the best interests of our consumers, teammates, and shareholders. Kevin Plank was recently invited at the request of the President of the United States, to join the American Manufacturing Council as part of a distinguished group of business leaders. He joined CEOs from companies such as Dow Chemical, Dell, Ford, GE and Tesla, among others to begin an important dialogue around creating jobs in America. We believe it is important for Under Armour to be a part of that discussion.We have always been committed to developing innovative ways to support and invest in American jobs and manufacturing. For years, Under Armour has had a long-term strategy for domestic manufacturing and we recently launched our first womens collection made in our hometown of Baltimore, MD. We are incredibly proud of this important first step in the evolution of creating more jobs at home.We engage in policy, not politics. We believe in advocating for fair trade, an inclusive immigration policy that welcomes the best and the brightest and those seeking opportunity in the great tradition of our country, and tax reform that drives hiring to help create new jobs globally, across America and in Baltimore.We have teammates from different religions, races, nationalities, genders and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences and opinions. This is the core of our company. At Under Armour, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to advocate for policies that Protect Our House, our business, our team, and our community.
Steph, to his credit, was very concerned about the comments and wanted to make sure that the company, and his fans, understood his position on the issue and how he felt about the company becoming aligned with the new President.
Its a fine line but its about how were operating, Curry said, how inclusive we are, what we stand for. Hes the President. There are going to be people that are tied to them. But are we promoting change? Are we doing things that are going to look out for everybody? And not being so self-serving that its only about making money, selling shoes, doing this and that. Thats not the priority. Its about changing lives. I think we can continue to do that.
But would he actually terminate their relationship?
If there is a situation where I can look at myself in the mirror and say they dont have my best intentions, they dont have the right attitude about taking care of people, Curry said. If I can say the leadership is not in line with my core values, then there is no amount of money, there is no platform I wouldnt jump off if it wasnt in line with who I am. So thats a decision I will make every single day when I wake up. If something is not in line with what Im about, then, yeah, I definitely need to take a stance in that respect.
And just to reiterate how he feels and to ensure that people understand just how strongly he feels about this issue, Steph said the following:
I feel like if you know who I am, you know what I stand for, and I can live with that, Curry said. I feel when you see my name, when you see people wearing my stuff, when you see anybody attached to me, that they share that same passion for people that I do. And thats what Ive been really serious about using this platform to share. I dont get in peoples faces and out in the streets with a bullhorn doing it that way. But every opportunity I have to show love, to show respect, to show just that positivity, I feel like thats my job and thats what I stand for.
Steph might walk quietly when it comes to politics, but don’t sleep on him because he’ll drain one in your face from way downtown at any moment.