SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell wasn’t sure what to make of it when he heard the news. The Utah House of Representatives passed a resolution in his honor? Why? And what exactly did that mean?
When House Resolution 3 was introduced by Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan to “Recognize Donovan Mitchell’s exemplary service to the Utah Jazz and the Utah community; and proposes to make the ‘Spida’ (Mitchell’s nickname) official. arachnid ‘it made some people raise their eyebrows.
The resolution came after Mitchell’s now infamous post-game exchange with Shaquille O’Neal last week. It was a way of supporting the Jazz star.
“In Utah, we support our players when they face awkward abuse during post-game interviews disguised as a pep talk,” states the resolution, while also getting a few pricks on O’Neal’s free-throw percentage and out-of-court ventures such as film. video game “Shaq Fu.”
“I think it is appropriate for the great state of Utah to award Shaquille O’Neal a technical foul,” said Birkeland, wearing a referee shirt.
That little detail was something Mitchell appreciated.
“That was kind of fun,” Mitchell said.
Birkeland and her co-representatives passed the resolution in a landslide 67-5 vote. No wonder Utahns is supporting one of their biggest stars.
However, the resolution met with some opposition.
“Not only did he get into Donovan Mitchell’s head, but I’m sure anyone who votes yes to this would rent some space in your head,” said House Majority Leader Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, of O’Neale . “But I support our Jazz. I support Donovan Mitchell.”
Now, whether or not such an issue should have been brought to the house floor – House Speaker Brad Wilson even wore a Mitchell jersey for the discussion – is a very different matter. But Birkeland and the other representatives who voted yes just wanted to release an official statement of support for the All-Star.
And as Mitchell sat in his car reading about it and thinking about the unique show of support, he couldn’t help but smile. Sure it was easy to laugh, but it was also quite moving.
“I looked at it in a different light,” Mitchell said. “As a child you always want to be that beloved boy and I really appreciate the support. I think it’s special and it’s an honor. It’s kind of funny.”
But he did have a question: “Is it like the state spider?” Mitchell asked. ‘I don’t know how that works, to be honest. I was asking around, we don’t really know. ‘
It doesn’t seem to be. The Utah State Legislature website states that resolutions “are considered an expression of the legislature and are printed in annual session laws (Laws of Utah) but not codified.”
So for now it’s just a way for the house to have an opinion. The opinion that Mitchell is the best player – and spin – there is.
“I’m just blessed that people think of me that way,” Mitchell said. “I’m just honored.”
Ryan Miller