Kellenberger: Freeze says what he needed to say on flag
HOOVER, Ala. – There were countless questions this week at Southeastern Conference Media Days about domestic violence. Players were asked explicitly how they were going to spend the money now available to them because of cost-of-attendance scholarships, and Ole Miss had to field queries all day about Laremy Tunsil and agents.
It’s easy to say SEC Media Days is supposed to be about football and only game-related questions, but it’s not and never really has been. Questions on everything from sneakers to 4-3 defenses to punishment for players accused of domestic violence is in-bounds, and once you understand that, I think it’s easier to realize why what happened Thursday was appropriate.
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze was asked about the Mississippi state flag on two separate occasions — once by myself in a meeting with local media, and again in front of the cameras in the main media room — and his answer was almost word-for-word the same.
“In the late ’90s our university made a move to go away from the Confederate flag and being a Mississippian I have a great appreciation for the Mississippi people and the pride we have in the heritage and all those things,” Freeze said. “Unfortunately that symbol has been hijacked by some groups that mean ill-will towards some people.
“While I’m not a political figure I strongly believe it is time we move in a different direction and change the flag. Hopefully that’ll happen.”
He was the fourth coach to get the question this week, and, like South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier and Alabama’s Nick Saban Freeze, did exactly what he needed to do. They’re not politicians, but they’re the most recognizable people in their states and their voice carries loudly. It’s more than acceptable for them to state their opinion, and especially so when it’s this kind of issue. It’s 2015 and in everywhere but Mississippi this issue has already been decided: The only time the Confederate flag should be on government grounds is in a museum. God-willing, we in Mississippi will join our brothers and sisters in 49 other states soon and change our state flag. What’s the downfall to expressing support on this?
Yes, Freeze left himself open when he suggested the flag had been hijacked, and when he was asked about that his response was not perfect. But he acknowledged what he does and does not know, and a desire for more information, and also answered a question about the use of words like Ole Miss and Rebels.
“If that's something that is troublesome to others, I'm sure that we would address that,” Freeze said.
I’ll live with that. Because as a leader of young men (many of whom are black), Freeze did say what he thought. All we ask for in this business is candid, honest answers, and Freeze had them.
There are still six weeks to go between now and the start of the actual football season. There’s plenty of time to talk about Ole Miss’ quarterback situation, what Manny Diaz will mean to the Mississippi State defense and if the SEC can snap its slide and win another national championship. Sports are a wonderful diversion from the drudgery of day-to-day life, and such a vital part of who we are as Mississippians. But it’s not all that we are. For at least a moment is was acceptable to ask about something that affects all of us.
Contact Hugh Kellenberger at (601) 961-7291 or hkellenber@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @HKellenbergerCL on Twitter.