Mary Altaffer/AP
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has no regrets with the way she expressed her belief in God after a recent game.
After the team’s 70-58 win over Oregon State in the Elite Eight, Staley — who’s always been open about her faith — used the post-game interview to thank God.
“If you don’t believe in God, something’s wrong with you,” Staley said as her team celebrated behind her. “I’m a believer. I’m a believer because he makes things come true. When you’re at your worst, he’s at his best. Look at him.”
Dawn Staley giving all the Glory to God! I love her! Amen! Listen to her speech pic.twitter.com/kH6wXCjX75
— Jasone Pearson (@806hsscmedia) March 31, 2024
Some on the internet apparently took exception to Staley saying “something’s wrong with you.” Days later, she addressed the response to her comments by doubling down.
“What if I said, ‘If you don’t watch women’s basketball, there’s something seriously wrong with you’? Staley asked. “Would you take it as threatening as somebody took the other [quote]? I mean, it’s a figure of speech. If you can’t comprehend that, then tune me out. Tune me out because I’m not here to offend anybody. That is not my make-up. That’s not my character; so if you’re just tuning in for one interview and you probably heard it from somebody else who heard it from somebody else and it’s hearsay, then you can have your take on it.
“I’m not apologizing. I’m not gonna apologize for what I said and what I feel because I know my life and I know why things have happened in my life; and I’m gonna salute God as much as I can because I know it’s not just my doing.”
“I’m not going to apologize for what I said or what I feel because I know my life & why things have happened in my life.”
I also asked @dawnstaley about the reaction to her courtside post-game interview on Sunday. She puts it in some context here.@GamecockWBB @foxcarolinanews pic.twitter.com/SHc4mUXqsA
— Beth Hoole (@bethhooleVNL) April 4, 2024
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