Canada’s Hubbard calls out Oklahoma State coach over T-shirt
Curtis Martin knows Chuba Hubbard, the Canadian star running back at Oklahoma State University, isn’t afraid to step up and be a leader.
“It’s exactly what I’d expect from Chuba,” said Martin, who was Hubbard’s football coach at Bev Facey Community High School in Sherwood Park, Alta. “This is just what he does.
“If he believes in a cause, if he sees something that isn’t right or isn’t OK by his moral compass, he’s going to call it out. I think it’s still surprising, though, because sometimes even great people don’t do the right thing and I think that’s why, when people do the right thing, we appreciate it so much.”
Hubbard took to social media Monday to call out Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy after he appeared in a photo wearing a T-shirt with the logo of One American News (OAN), a farright media outlet.
“I will not stand for this,” Hubbard tweeted. “This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE.”
Hours later, Gundy and Hubbard appeared in a video together where they shook hands and hugged. Gundy said he met with Cowboys players and added: “I’m looking forward to making some changes, and it starts at the top with me, and we’ve got good days ahead.”
Gundy did not issue an apology. But Hubbard, who led the NCAA in rushing last season with 2,094 yards, did.
“I’ll start off by first saying I went about it the wrong way by tweeting,” Hubbard said. “I’m not someone that has to tweet something to bring change. I should have went to him as a man. I’m more about action so that was bad on my part. From now on, we’re going to focus on bringing change and that’s the most important thing.”
On Tuesday, Hubbard took to social media again to clarify his position.
“I will start by saying this; I was never wrong for saying what I said,” Hubbard tweeted. “I am a man, and I realized I should have went to him as a man face to face rather than on Twitter ... But I had to hold him accountable either way.
“I am glad things happened the way they did because things are being changed as we speak!”
And Hubbard said that change is coming.
“I am a young Black man that wants change,” he continued. “I want change that will bring a better experience for my Black brothers and sisters at Oklahoma State. It’s that simple.”