SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell did not really know what to think when he heard the news. Did the Utah House of Representatives pass a resolution in his honor? Why? And what exactly did that mean?
When House Resolution 3 was introduced by Representative Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan on Tuesday acknowledged ‘Donovan Mitchell’s exemplary service to the Utah Jazz and the Utah community; and he suggests that the ‘Spida’ (nicknamed Mitchell) become the official. arachnid “this has caused some people to raise their eyebrows.
The resolution was drafted after Mitchell’s now infamous exchange after Shaikille O’Neal last week. It was a way to support the Jazz star.
“In Utah, we support our players when they experience awkward abuse in the after-game interviews disguised as pepper talks,” reads the resolution, while also hinting at O’Neal’s free throw percentage and out of court, like the movie “Kazaam” “and the video game” Shaq Fu. “
“I think it’s appropriate for the big state of Utah to charge Shaquille O’Neal with a technical foul,” Birkeland said.
That little detail was something Mitchell appreciated.
“It was quite nice,” Mitchell said.
Birkeland and her co-representatives adopted the resolution by 67-5 votes. No surprise Utahns support one of their biggest stars.
However, the resolution was somewhat opposed.
“Not only did he come under the head of Donovan Mitchell, but I’m sure everyone who votes on this will also rent space in your head,” Francis Gibson, leader of the House, R-Mapleton, said of O ‘Neale. “But I support our Jazz. I support Donovan Mitchell. ‘
Whether the matter should have been brought to the floor – the speaker of the house, Brad Wilson, even wore a Mitchell jersey for the discussion – is a very different matter. But Birkeland and the other representatives who voted yes simply wanted to provide official support for the All-Star.
And when Mitchell sat in his car and read about it and thought about the unique support, he could not help but smile. It was certainly easy to laugh at, but it was also quite poignant.
“I looked at it in a different light,” Mitchell said. “When you become a child, you always want to be the beloved man and I really appreciate the support. I think it’s special and it’s an honor.
But he did have a question: “Is it like the state spider?” Ask Mitchell. “I do not know how it works, to be honest with you. I asked, we do not really know.”
It does not appear to be. The Utah State Legislative website states that resolutions “are considered an expression of the legislature and are printed in the annual session laws (Laws of Utah) but are not codified.”
So now it’s just a way for the house to express an opinion. The opinion that Mitchell is the best player – and spider.
“I’m just blessed that people think of me that way,” Mitchell said. “I’m just honored.”
Ryan Miller