Auburn's Hugh Freeze Believes Love And College Football Is Needed To Help Country Through Political 'Chaos'

DALLAS -- If there's one thing we can agree on in this country, it's that sports are something that can bring us together, no matter which side of the political aisle you're on. For Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, there has been one thing missing in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump: love. 

As we gathered in Texas this week for SEC Media Days, it's hard not to glance at a television or look at social media and see the problems that are occurring on both sides. Whether it's discussing Trump or Joe Biden or who's in or who's out, the conversations are endless, and most of the time just tiring. 

But in the middle of all of this, as Freeze pointed out in his comments to the media Thursday afternoon, we are close to the start of a college football season that has the chance to bring folks together. 

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 18: Head Coach Hugh Freeze of the Auburn Tigers speaks during Day 2 of the 2023 SEC Media Days at Grand Hyatt Nashville on July 18, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

"I think all of us, if we’re looking with honest eyes, would say that the world right now has got some, I don't know how you’d describe it, chaos," Freeze told OutKick in an exclusive conversation after the Auburn coach spoke at the podium. "And it’s not just current, it's been a while. The one thing I’ll say about college football is that you bring a group of people together, in an 80,000-plus seat stadium like Jordan-Hare, and I’m certain we all don't agree. 

"Same way in our team room. I got 120 players, 70 staff members, we’re from different backgrounds, cultures, socioeconomic, whatever party you affiliate with or whatever. But the challenge is, love has the ability to handle those inconveniences. Too often now, the responses are not love when you don’t agree with someone. … I long for people to be treated with respect and love."

Hugh Freeze Says We're Dealing With Chaos, Not Love And Respect

To be honest, Freeze is not wrong. To help steer things in a more positive direction, we have to understand that everyone has a different background, and we were not all brought up the same. 

During his opening press conference Monday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey pointed out that none of us are expected to agree on all things beyond the playing field, but there is a unity that comes with getting together on a Saturday and cheering on your favorite team. 

"This past Saturday evening, we were reminded of the stress and divisiveness that's present in our nation, well beyond any playing field," Greg Sankey mentioned on Monday. "We know that elections are fundamental in these United States of America, and none of us are expected to all agree on how votes should be cast."

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks to kick off SEC Media Days. (Getty Images)

Hugh Freeze Says No Matter The Political Climate, College Football Brings Unity

If there is one thing that Freeze can say with authority, it's that college football is an outlet that is needed to bring fans together, no matter what the current state of the country is. Fans are going to join each other on Saturdays across the country, to cheer on their favorite teams. 

"It’s not gonna change in the South," Freeze noted. "The fans of Auburn, the fans of Alabama, the Florida fans, they’re going to come together on Saturday. And guess what? When we’re playing out of conference, most will be cheering for that other team." 

Thank goodness we are getting closer to the first game of the college football season, because just as Freeze said, this country could use something to bring us together. 

Kickoff can’t get here soon enough.