Bob Costas Doubles Down in Favor of Gun Control in Interview With Seth Meyers
Bob Costas rankled a portion of the population when he spoke out strongly against guns in the wake of the Jovan Belcher tragedy in 2012, but he has not let the backlash silence him from discussing social issues in sports, where commentators generally strive to remain politically-neutral. The broadcaster went on Late Night with Seth Meyers last night, and reinforced his position on athletes and guns.
“There is in fact a gun culture, no matter how you feel about the second amendment or gun control, in sports,” Costas said. “Since I made that commentary in December of 2012, you’ve got Aaron Hernandez sitting in jail on a homicide charge, you’ve got [Aldon] Smith arrested for illegal possession of assault weapons, and Raymond Felton in a domestic dispute — he happens to not just have a handgun, but one that shoots armor-piercing bullets, which every citizen needs. Oscar Pistorius.”
“Here’s what I would say to anybody, who anytime they hear the word guns automatically goes off like they’re gonna repeal the second amendment,” he continues. “Let’s make a bet: Let’s say over the next five years, we’ll do a Google search. We’ll have an independent party monitor it. You keep track of how many good and constructive things are associated with athletes having a gun, and I’ll keep track of all the tragedies and criminality and folly.”
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