Mike Gundy: "The people that are negative and voicing their opinion are the same ones that can't pay their own bills"

Update >> Gundy issued an apology late, late last night.

Mike Gundy has been at the helm of his alma mater at Oklahoma State dating back to 2005, and isn't exactly a stranger to finding himself in the crosshairs of controversy.

From his famous "I'm a man, I'm 40" rant, to a t-shirt choice that led to a boycott threat from his players, to various NIL comments, Gundy's has found himself in the spotlight for everything from outstanding top 10 and top 25 seasons, developing draft picks, as well as controversial off the field decisions.

His latest comments (when taken without full context) will draw the ire of plenty, especially those who take issue with the Cowboys disappointing 3-6 record and 0-6 start in Big 12 play, despite returning the country's leading rusher and the entire offensive line.

"That's what happens in college athletics," Gundy shared during his weekly Zoom presser today."

"It's just on the bigger stage where people can voice their opinion, and in most cases, the people that are negative and voicing their opinion are the same one that can't pay their own bills."

"They're not taking care of themselves. They're not taking care of their own family. They're not taking care of their own job. But they have an obligation to speak out and complain about others because it makes them feel better. But then, in the end, when they go to bed at night, they're the same failure that they were before they said anything negative about anybody else."

That quote, taken by itself, makes it seem like Gundy is pointing the finger and complaining about a fan base that can't pay their own bills, but want something to complain about to make themselves feel better so they choose to focus that negativity on his program.

But that's not the full picture, or the full quote, as so often it seems get shared on social media where making a splash - or riling people up - is a top priority.

Take a step back and look at the entire answer, which comes after Gundy was asked if his time as an assistant has helped him with the ups and downs of being a head coach, and a different picture emerges.

Gundy begins answering that question by pointing out that he coached 11 years before they ever won more than five games, and how as an assistant you worry about just the guys at your position while as a head coach you've got well over 200 under your wing.

He would go on to say that the program has enjoyed nearly two decades of success before this year's disappointing campaign thus far adding, "unfortunately in life, most people are weak, and as soon as things start to not go as good as what they thought, they fall apart and they panic and then they want to point the finger and blame other people."

"You see it happen in everyday life. People do it all the time. That's why I refuse to watch the TV and watch the news because I get tired of people complaining and bitching about this and that versus just doing something about it and trying to figure out a way to make it better."

Gundy then wrapped up his long-winded answer with an uplifting message for fans, which most will never see because they stopped at the salacious soundbyte.

"I think what's important for all the Oklahoma State fans to know is that we're very aware of what's going on, and at some point in life, we all have to put trust into somebody. I think they need to trust that we have a good plan for what's going on here in the big picture, and we have answers. Sometimes they're not short term. Sometimes they might be long term answers.

"Then secondly, in the end, the very best thing people can do, as I tell our players, is 100% be in, buy in. You got to be on somebody's team. Can't go through life by yourself."

Below is a clip full quote from Gundy's zoom, as well as the full answer in transcript form he provided for additional perspective.