Derek J. Collins, Guest columnist
| Hearst – Austin Transition
When floodwaters rise, Texans don’t stop to ask whether someone is a “winner” or a “loser.” We show up. We carry each other out of danger, share food and shelter, and ask how we can help. That’s who we are — or at least who we’ve always strived to be. Which is why Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent remarks, delivered amid devastating flooding across Central Texas, were not only disappointing — they were deeply disheartening.
During a press conference on Tuesday, as hundreds of Texans were displaced and entire communities swamped by record-setting rains, Abbott was asked who’s to blame. He responded, “That is the word choice of losers.”
“Every football team makes mistakes,” the governor continued. “The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who is to blame. The championship teams are the ones who say, ‘Don’t worry about it, man. We got this. We’re going to 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.”
This wasn’t a locker room pep talk. This was a statewide emergency. And the words “winners” and “losers” — particularly when describing how communities respond to hardship or how officials handle criticism — have no place in a moment when people are clinging to hope, not chasing trophies.
In times of crisis, we expect our elected officials to show compassion, clarity and humility — not swagger. Texans who lost their homes or watched their neighborhoods flood didn’t need sports metaphors. They needed empathy. They needed assurance that their voices were heard, their situations understood, and their leaders engaged.
Abbott’s framing — that pointing out problems is something “losers” do — is not just tone-deaf; it reflects a troubling refusal to take accountability. Honest feedback, especially in the wake of a disaster, is not blame. It’s a crucial part of ensuring we do better next time. Shrugging off criticism by invoking a winner’s mindset might sound bold, but it ultimately diminishes the legitimate concerns of residents and local leaders who have every right to demand better from their government.
This incident is not isolated. It is part of a broader trend of incivility and defensiveness in American politics, where performative toughness has replaced genuine leadership, and adversarial rhetoric takes precedence over problem-solving. Across the country, we’ve seen officials resort to culture war language and sports analogies rather than confront complex problems with nuance and humanity.
Texans deserve more than that. We deserve leaders who view moments of suffering not as opportunities to display bravado but as chances to connect, comfort and commit to tangible improvements.
Some might argue that Abbott was simply trying to project confidence. But confidence without compassion is hollow. And public statements that suggest only “losers” raise concerns or point out gaps in response don’t bring people together — they shut them out.
Flooding doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who your governor is or which team you’re on. It affects the vulnerable, the elderly, the working families, and the first responders who put their lives at risk to help others. And when the water recedes, the questions begin: Could more have been done? Were the warnings fast enough? Were resources distributed fairly? These are not accusations — they’re civic responsibilities.
Instead of dismissing those questions, our leaders should welcome them. That’s how trust is built and progress is made. Deflecting critique with competitive metaphors may win the press conference, but it won’t fix broken infrastructure, mend damaged homes or calm anxious families.
Crisis leadership is about more than logistics and resource allocation. It’s about tone, presence, and emotional intelligence. It’s about recognizing that in the face of disaster, people look not just to plans, but to posture. Are we being seen? Heard? Valued?
Abbott missed that opportunity. And while Texas will recover, as we always do, we must also demand a higher standard of leadership — one rooted in humility, accountability and above all, decency.
Because in the wake of disaster, there are no losers for pointing out where we fell short — only neighbors asking how we do better next time.
Derek Collins holds a doctorate in education and is an aerospace professional with more than 20 years experience supporting NASA, NOAA and the FAA. He lives in Houston.