Abbott Dismisses Blame for Texas Floods, Offers Football Analogy to Grieving Families
A controversial response from the Texas governor following a devastating flood that has claimed over 100 lives has drawn criticism for its tone and perceived lack of accountability.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott sparked outrage Tuesday by characterizing discussions of responsibility for the recent catastrophic flooding – which has resulted in more than 100 fatalities – as “loser talk.” The governor’s remarks came during a press conference where he was asked whether he would support an inquiry into the factors contributing to the tragedy.
Abbott responded directly to the question, stating, “You asked ‘Who’s to blame?’ Know this: That’s the word choice of losers.” He then pivoted to an extended analogy involving football, attempting to frame the situation as one requiring a focus on solutions rather than assigning fault.
“Let me explain one thing about Texas,” Abbott continued. “Texas, every square inch of our state, cares about football. You could be in Huntsville, Texas; Houston, Texas—any size community, they care about football. High school, Friday-night lights, college football, or pro. And know this, every football team makes mistakes. The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who’s to blame. The championship teams are the ones that say, ‘Don’t worry about it, man. We got this. We’re gonna make sure that we go score again, that we’re going to win this game.’ The way winners talk is not to point fingers, they talk about solutions.”
The analogy was widely criticized as insensitive and tone-deaf, particularly given the immense suffering experienced by those affected by the floods. Critics questioned whether comparing a natural disaster to a sporting event was appropriate, especially when addressing families who have lost loved ones, including children. One observer noted the disconnect between the governor’s message and the reality faced by those searching for missing relatives, whose hopes diminish with each passing day. The sentiment was echoed by many who questioned whether a parent who had lost a child would find solace in being told to “go score again.”
Despite the controversial remarks, Abbott did announce an inquiry into the central Texas floods and preventative measures for future events. However, the investigation will be led by the GOP-controlled state legislature, raising concerns about its impartiality and potential outcomes.
The response from other prominent Republicans has also been scrutinized. According to The New York Times, Abbott and others have resisted calls for investigations into staffing shortages at National Weather Service offices in Texas and the adequacy of emergency warning systems along the Guadalupe River. Senator Ted Cruz reportedly amended a Donald Trump spending bill to eliminate $150 million in funding for weather forecasting advancements, and subsequently criticized those “trying to blame their political opponents for a natural disaster.” Representative Chip Roy stated that “finger-pointing generally is just offensive when you’re dealing with trying to find bodies, and trying to deal with families grieving,” while also acknowledging his own vote in favor of the weather forecasting cuts.
The focus on avoiding blame, coupled with the perceived inadequacy of the proposed investigation, has fueled concerns that a thorough examination of the factors contributing to the disaster – and potential preventative measures – may be hampered by political considerations.
