Atlanta – Auburn’s head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, clarified that his recent call for the release of an American hostage in Gaza was not intended to mix politics with sports. Speaking on Thursday after a press conference before Auburn’s highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan, Pearl emphasized that his plea stemmed from a human survival standpoint rather than a political one.
Following Auburn’s victorious second-round game against Creighton in Lexington, Pearl began his media address by urging for the freedom of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier held captive in Gaza by Hamas. At 21, Alexander is the last known American hostage since the conflict’s outbreak in October 2023.
Acknowledging the sensitive nature of his statement, Pearl, who practices Judaism, shared that he had first sought his players’ consent to ensure that his actions wouldn’t overshadow their achievements. “I didn’t want to overshadow Auburn or our student-athletes,” Pearl commented. “I got their permission to bring up Edan Alexander’s name, and they were supportive.”
Pearl mentioned that such public appeals are not common for him, recalling a previous occasion a few years prior related to tensions between Israel and Iran, marking the rarity of such interventions.
While Pearl frequently shares his political opinions on social media, including his support for former President Donald Trump, he maintains the importance of respectful discourse. His players echo this sentiment, appreciating the freedom Auburn provides to explore and express personal beliefs.
Center Dylan Cardwell highlighted the university’s commitment to free expression, which allows both students and staff to voice their views on pertinent issues. “Bruce Pearl encourages us to discuss our passions just as he does,” Cardwell stated. “His passion for Israel and his Jewish heritage speaks through his advocacy, and we respect that.”
Under Pearl’s leadership, Auburn boasts remarkable achievements such as the SEC regular-season title and once held the nation’s top ranking for eight weeks consecutively. Senior Johni Broome, pivotal in Auburn’s success with an impressive average of 18.9 points per game, lauded Pearl’s respectful approach to addressing the hostage situation, valuing the team’s input.
“It’s just who Coach is,” Broome shared. “He deeply cares and leads with conviction, but he values our opinions too. We’re united with him in supporting the causes he’s passionate about.”