Mike Gundy’s hateful comments show lack of empathy toward fellow Oklahomans

I rarely pay attention to the prattlings of Oklahoma’s  college football coaches who are being paid ungodly amounts of money to put teams on the field to entertain us every fall. 
But every once in a while they’re impossible to ignore. 
The latest example was the recent hateful, offensive and frankly ignorant comments made earlier this month by Oklahoma State University football coach Mike Gundy.
Gundy’s team has put on a subpar performance this year. They have a 3-7 record, placing them in the bottom of the Big 12 Conference.
Here’s what Gundy said when responding to a media question about fan criticism about his team’s dismal season:
“In most cases, the people that are negative and voicing their opinions are the same ones that can’t pay their own bills. They’re not taking care of themselves. They’re not taking care of their own family. They’re not taking care of their own job, but they have an obligation to speak out and complain about others because it makes them feel better. But then in the end, when they go to bed at night, they’re the same failure that they were before they said anything negative about anybody else.”
The ensuing dust up gave the impression that Gundy merely received a gentle slap on the wrist for an egregious lack of empathy and an elitist attitude toward what is probably a large percentage of Oklahomans. Because despite their best intentions and working full-time jobs, they are struggling to make ends meet.
Gundy later issued what seemed to be a forced, half-hearted apology to those he offended by issuing a written statement. OSU President Kayse Shrum issued her own. She didn’t apologize exactly for what she deemed “offensive remarks,” but noted that Gundy had apologized and that his comment didn’t reflect the position of the university, and that she’s grateful for the school’s fans and donors.
But the arrogance and ignorance of the challenges faced by lower- and middle-income Oklahomans is astounding, particularly coming from someone who serves as the face of a public institution that relies on the largess of Oklahoma taxpayers and their Legislature. 
Many of those same people Gundy thumbed his nose at have helped make him obscenely rich.
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Last season, Gundy was expected to earn $7.625 million. At the time, he was the 14th highest paid coach among Division 1 schools.
If he were to work the standard 40 hour, 52 weeks a year, Gundy essentially made $3,665 an hour. 
Most Oklahomans don’t make that in a month.
In September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual wage report for 2023. Oklahoma’s average hourly wage was $27.25. That means half of Oklahomans brought in less than $56,680.
That same month, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report that found 15.9% of Oklahomans were impoverished — the sixth highest rate in the nation.
But it’s not just impoverished Oklahomans that struggle to pay their bills.
Even those with degrees from colleges like the one that employs Gundy or who would traditionally be considered middle class are struggling with the rising costs of living. (Did Gundy see the recent presidential election? Many people voted for a candidate in hopes of doing better financially.) 
And our colleges aren’t exactly helping matters by raising tuition and encouraging everyone to get a master’s or doctorate degree. While our state’s student loan debt is among the lowest in the country, the Education Data Initiative reports that the average Oklahoma debt is about $32,100 per borrower.
But perhaps Gundy’s remarks are not so surprising in this political environment. Members of our Legislature have also shown a staggering lack of empathy toward those who don’t have deep pockets.
To name a few examples, there’s the refusal to raise the minimum wage; the false perception that poor people have to be cheating the welfare system; the stereotypes that people on welfare are drug abusers; the decision to ax a tax credit that helped low-income Oklahomans; and the rejection of federal funding to help feed hungry children during summer months.
Coincidentally, a day after Gundy’s remarks, a red wave swept across the country with Americans voting for Donald Trump to become our next president. 
Voters sent a clear signal that they’re fed up with the nation’s economy, the high price of food and housing, and with struggling to pay their bills. They spoke clearly that they want something better for themselves.
People don’t want to be poor. They want local, state and national policies that allow them to work good paying jobs so they can pay their bills and support their families.
Oklahoma lawmakers should take note of it as they craft their legislative agendas in the coming weeks.
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Gundy, meanwhile, should stick to what he’s best at  — football — and instead of blaming everyone else for his failures, focus on teaching his players to be winners both on and off the field. 
OSU’s leaders should demand it.
After all, a losing record is temporary. 
Good character, empathy and compassion are lessons that last forever. Even longer than money.
Janelle Stecklein is editor of Oklahoma Voice. An award-winning journalist, Stecklein has been covering Oklahoma government and politics since moving to the state in 2014.