{"id":2414496,"date":"2025-03-24T11:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/auburn-coach-says-players-backed-decision-to-highlight-last-living-american-hostage-in-gaza-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-24T13:08:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T17:08:41","slug":"auburn-coach-says-players-backed-decision-to-highlight-last-living-american-hostage-in-gaza-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/auburn-coach-says-players-backed-decision-to-highlight-last-living-american-hostage-in-gaza-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Auburn coach says players backed decision to highlight last living American hostage in Gaza &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fauburn-coach-says-players-backed-decision-to-highlight-last-living-american-hostage-in-gaza-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2414496&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Auburn University men&#8217;s basketball\u200c head coach\u200d Bruce Pearl expressed his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">players&#8217; full\u2063 support<\/a> \u200cfor\u200b a decision he made to highlight Edan Alexander, the last living\u200b American hostage in Gaza, during a press conference. Following\u2062 Auburn&#8217;s victory over Creighton, Pearl felt compelled to bring attention to Alexander, whom he believes is \u2062not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-look-back-on-court-packing-attempts-in-us-history\/\" title=\"A Look Back On \u2018Court Packing\u2019 Attempts in US History\">widely recognized<\/a>. His players \u200bencouraged \u2064him to mention Alexander&#8217;s name, understanding\u2063 the importance of highlighting the plight of\u2063 hostages. Pearl conveyed \u2062the significance of this acknowledgment as\u2063 part of a larger belief in divine \u2064providence and the\u200c role of faith in their achievements. He commented on issues of free speech regarding \u2064protests on college campuses, emphasizing that calls for violence or the extermination of any race are unacceptable. Pearl also noted that Auburn&#8217;s success will continue as they prepare for their next games while proudly representing their Jewish heritage.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Auburn coach says players backed decision to highlight last living American hostage in Gaza<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2073242\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Auburn University men&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/college-basketball\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">basketball<\/a> Head Coach Bruce Pearl said his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">players<\/a> fully backed his decision to remind the millions of people watching <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/march-madness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">March Madness<\/a> of Edan Alexander, the last living American <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hostages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">hostage<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gaza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I was gonna go to the press conference and talk just about the game, but I was walking down the hall with my players, and it came to me,&rdquo; Pearl told Brian Kilmeade on Fox News&rsquo;s <em>Fox and Friends<\/em>. &ldquo;So, I asked the guys, &lsquo;Is it okay if I bring up Edan Alexander&rsquo;s name?&#8217;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3356676\/supreme-court-declines-revisit-defamation-rule\/\">Supreme Court declines to revisit defamation rule criticized by Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3356607\/new-jersey-democrats-abortion-rights-governor-race-state-protections\/\">New Jersey Democrats latch on to abortion rights in governor&#8217;s race despite state protections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3356603\/trump-fuels-jfk-conspiracy-theories-after-unspectacular-file-release\/\">Trump fuels JFK conspiracy theories after &#8216;somewhat unspectacular&#8217; file release<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;They said, &lsquo;Coach, there&rsquo;s an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3350879\/israel-strikes-target-hamas-leadership-after-hostage-returns-stall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">American <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-public-schools-reaches-tentative-reopening-deal-with-teachers-union-students-may-return-this-week\/\" title=\"Chicago Public Schools Reaches \u2018Tentative\u2019 Reopening Deal With Teachers Union, Students May Return This Week\">held hostage<\/a><\/a>. We know how much you care about it. Absolutely mention his name.&#8217;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share.php?id=2856946&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=9421&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=5fff72e5fffb3f42f930aef6143a98b2\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alexander, 19, was kidnapped during Hamas&rsquo;s Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Pearl said he made the comment because too few <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weak-government-complicit-media-silicon-valley-are-torching-america\/\" title=\"Weak Government, Complicit Media, Silicon Valley Are Torching America\">people knew<\/a> the teenager&rsquo;s name.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I believe it was God&rsquo;s plan to give us this success. To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/female-athlete-speaks-out-against-bidens-lgbtqa-bill\/\" title=\"Female athlete speaks out against Biden\u2019s LGBTQA+ bill\">give men<\/a> an opportunity to start this press conference really briefly and remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now,&rdquo; Pearl told the press after his team defeated Creighton University Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>His comments received wide support from Jewish Americans.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are a silent majority in this country,&rdquo; Pearl told Kilmeade. &ldquo;I just feel like so much of our success at Auburn has been because we pray first. We thank God for the blessings, and I&rsquo;m grateful to be a citizen of this country and be Jewish.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We gotta call out the difference between this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3356077\/israel-strike-lebanon-rockets-fired\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">good and this evil<\/a>, and, you know what, Brian, we&rsquo;re close to getting the hostages home. President Trump is absolutely leading the way, and he&rsquo;s making a very clear decision for Hamas. &hellip;Release the hostages, and there&rsquo;s a chance for peace.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Pearl reveres the right to free speech but thanked President Donald Trump for his leadership in taking action against the pro-Hamas presence on U.S. college campuses that call for the elimination of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m an example about being able to have free speech, and so I think there should be able to have protests in this country. It&rsquo;s what&rsquo;s made our country great, but not a call for violence,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Not for an extermination of a race.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Ku Klux Klan are not allowed to put on white hoods and march around asking for the death and destruction of African Americans. We won&rsquo;t have it. We won&rsquo;t tolerate it. I&rsquo;d be first in line to say this is not gonna happen.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Auburn defeated Creighton 82-70 to book a ticket to a Sweet Sixteen matchup against Michigan.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/3356001\/columbia-agrees-trump-demands-federal-funding-pulled\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">COLUMBIA AGREES TO TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEMANDS AFTER FEDERAL FUNDING WAS PULLED<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re gonna get ready for Michigan Friday night and then Michigan State or Ole Miss, maybe, on Sunday,&rdquo; Pearl said. &ldquo;There are three Jewish coaches that are still playing in this year&rsquo;s Sweet Sixteen: Jon Scheyer at Duke, Todd Golden at Florida, and Bruce Pearl at Auburn.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t tell me this isn&rsquo;t a great country.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2073242\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2073242\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Auburn coach says players supported highlighting last American hostage in Gaza<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2644,"featured_media":2414497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AP25060758236920-scaled-1024x732.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[39950,51991,4024,20083,11490,9502,34619],"class_list":["post-2414496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-american-hostage","tag-auburn","tag-coach","tag-gaza","tag-hostage","tag-players","tag-sports-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AP25060758236920-scaled-1024x732.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2414496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2644"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2414496"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2414496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2414553,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2414496\/revisions\/2414553"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2414497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2414496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2414496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2414496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}