Roger Clemens on How His Sons Introduced Him to Charlie Kirk's Mission to Reach Young Men
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Roger Clemens on How His Sons Introduced Him to Charlie Kirk's Mission to Reach Young Men
Baseball legend Roger Clemens reveals how his four sons introduced him to Charlie Kirk by showing him videos on their phones. Clemens studied Kirk like he once studied opposing pitchers, noticing the small mannerisms that made him effective, like setting down the microphone to truly listen. In this conversation with Will Cain, Clemens discusses Kirk's unique appeal to young men, his wife Erika's strength, playing golf with President Trump, and why he believes celebrities on both sides should be bolder about their political beliefs while still respecting those who disagree.
Roger Clemens didn't discover Charlie Kirk through traditional media or political circles. Instead, the baseball legend learned about Kirk from his four sons, who pulled out their phones and showed him videos of Kirk's debates and public appearances. What started as a casual introduction turned into Clemens studying Kirk with the same intensity he once applied to analyzing opposing pitchers.
In a conversation with Will Cain in Dallas, Clemens shared how Kirk's approach to engaging with young Americans captured his attention. Clemens noted that his sons are well-versed in many subjects beyond sports, and their enthusiasm for Kirk's work sparked his own interest in understanding what made Kirk so effective at reaching America's youth.
Studying Charlie Kirk's Mannerisms
Drawing on his experience as a professional athlete who studied every detail of his opponents, Clemens explained how he watched Kirk's videos looking for the subtle techniques that made him so compelling. One mannerism stood out above all others: Kirk would set down his microphone when he finished speaking so he could truly listen to the questions being asked.
"I loved his mannerisms, like when I would sit in the dugout and watch other pitchers and try and pick up pitches or stuff or mannerisms they do," Clemens explained. "The one that I noticed the most with Charlie was he would take the microphone and set it down when he's done saying his piece so he could listen to the questions that the young kids, the older people were asking him."
This attention to detail impressed Clemens deeply. Kirk would look over his shoulder to his staff when he knew a particularly good question was coming, with an expression that said "This is going to be good." Kirk would also thank people for their questions, displaying a graciousness that Clemens found remarkable.
Charlie Kirk's Impact on Young Men
Clemens emphasized that Kirk's mission extended beyond politics into culture. Kirk's voice resonated particularly with young men who traditionally felt ignored and increasingly lost in America. While Kirk focused on reaching the youth, those same young people began introducing their parents to him—a reverse mentoring dynamic that Clemens himself experienced.
"Can't tell you how many times over the last couple of weeks I've met someone my age or a little older that said they learned of Charlie from their son," Cain noted during the conversation.
Clemens described Kirk as someone who made everyone around him better, using a baseball analogy: "When you have somebody like Charlie on your team, he makes everybody around you better. And that's what you look for. You look for traits in a person from that."
Erika Kirk's Strength
Clemens was particularly moved by Erika Kirk's strength in the aftermath of her husband's assassination. He praised her public appearance and the courage she displayed in addressing the nation during such a difficult time.
"What a tough cookie this lady is," Clemens said. "I mean, listening to her the other day, what strength she had to come on in front of all of us and express her words and I want her on my team. I want to be on her team. I mean, the way she came across and the same thing with Charlie."
Playing Golf with President Trump
The conversation took place on the same day that Ryan Routh was found guilty in his attempted assassination of President Trump. Clemens, who has played golf with Trump multiple times, shared his perspective on the security concerns surrounding the former president.
"I still shake my head from not too long ago when in Pennsylvania they let a gentleman—I say a gentleman, they let a crazy man—into a rally with a golf rangefinder," Clemens said. "I mean, I just shake my head at this stuff. Why are you going to a rally with a golf rangefinder? And why are you going to a golf course with an assault weapon?"
During their most recent golf outing in Virginia, Clemens was impressed not only by Trump's golf game—noting that he hit every fairway but one, missing it by only six inches—but also by his work ethic. Trump was constantly on the phone conducting business, talking to heads of state, and working throughout the entire three hours on the course.
"The man, I don't know how he operates on five and a half hours sleep or whatever it is he gets," Clemens remarked. After watching Trump's performance on the course, Clemens joked, "Okay, I've got money. I went in on that bet you against Biden right now."
Why Clemens Supports Trump
Clemens explained his support for Trump in straightforward terms: "The reason I voted for him because he's no nonsense, common sense and no nonsense. I love that about him."
However, Clemens also emphasized the importance of unity and respect for the office of the presidency, regardless of who holds it. He shared that while he didn't vote for Barack Obama, once Obama became president, Clemens rooted for him to do well for the country. "That's the way that people, that's the way I always feel that people should come together," he said.
A Call for Boldness from Celebrities
Cain raised an important question about celebrity culture in the wake of Kirk's assassination. He noted that some major celebrities, including Chris Pratt, have begun to be more open about their faith and political beliefs, but that the left has historically been much bolder in this area than conservatives.
Clemens responded with a balanced perspective. He would like to see more boldness and honesty from celebrities and athletes, but crucially, from both sides of the political spectrum.
"I would like to see that. Definitely. I would like to see that on both sides," Clemens said. "Even if my celebrity friends are Democrats, we don't have to agree. We still get along. You don't go try and kill somebody."
Clemens emphasized that open debate and disagreement are fundamental to American democracy. "We have, it's open for debate all the time and we talk about our opinions and we're what side of the table we're on, but we're Americans last time I checked."
Raised by Strong Women
When asked about his own values and how they were formed, Clemens pointed to his upbringing. His father died when he was young, so he was raised by his mother and grandmother—two strong-willed women who shaped his character.
"My mom, my grandmother, they raised me. My pops died when I was young. So I was raised by two strong-willed women," Clemens shared. "And I don't think I need to say any more other than that."
This upbringing instilled in Clemens the values of respect, hard work, and the ability to stand firm in his beliefs while still respecting those who disagree—qualities he saw reflected in Charlie Kirk's approach to engaging with all Americans.
