Steve Kerr, the head coach of Golden State Warriors, has reported that his childhood house was among quite a few that were destroyed this week in a wildfire that swept through Southern California. The coach revealed this during a press conference on Thursday, during which he expressed deep sadness but gratitude that no lives were lost to the flames.
“I was sad to hear that the house I grew up in is gone,” said Kerr. “It had many memories of my family and childhood. It is a tough loss, but my thoughts are with everyone else affected by this fire.”
Kerr grew up in Pacific Palisades, which is a pretty wealthy neighborhood and a place where his childhood home became a loafing ground for his formative experiences as an eight-time NBA champion-five as a player and three as a coach. Kerr was born in a family highly engaged in academic activities and international affairs, with his father Malcolm Kerr being a renowned scholar and university president.
With dry conditions heavily affecting the wildlife and strong winds, the Pacific Palisades fire has burnt thousands of acres, obliterating several dozen homes and even displacing havens for many people. They are on fire 24 hours a day to catch any flames resulting from the incineration of property and damage to the environment.
Kerr, a very cool and reflective man, took the opportunity to say, “Fix the greater problem, which is climate change, something that increases both the frequency and intensity of wildfires in California.” “This is a stark reminder of how vulnerable we are to these kinds of disasters,” he said. “We need to address the root causes and take action to protect our communities.
Fans and the NBA community rallied around Kerr as they voiced support and sympathy for him. Players and staff for the Warriors team also shared messages of condolence, most pointing out Kerr’s strength in personal issues.
Even amidst his suffering, Kerr stressed he had now dedicated his life to attending to those affected by the fire. “I’m lucky to have the platform and the resources to rebuild,” he stated. “My thoughts are with those who do not share that same safety net.”
Kerr said he would donate in support of those in fire-affected areas and called upon others to do the same. “At times like these, is when we should all come together as a community,” he said.
