Alabama staffer fired for mocking Cam Newton with songs (UPDATED with video evidence)
Here's Cam Newton, not leading the Auburn crowd in "Son of a Preacher Man."
(Check for video at end)
It turns out that there’s a limit to what’s acceptable when it comes to making fun of Cam Newton — in Tuscaloosa, of all places.
Alabama has fired an employee who mocked the Auburn quarterback with songs he played over the public address system before their game Friday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, according to TideSports.com.
The songs of choice?
“Take the Money and Run” by the Steve Miller Band and “Son of a Preacher Man.” (Reports don’t make clear if it was the Aretha Franklin or Dusty Springfield version of
“Preacher Man.” But I’m guessing it doesn’t matter, even if Aretha is the queen of soul.)
As you no doubt have heard, Newton and his father, the Rev. Cecil Newton, are under NCAA investigation for possibly soliciting payment from one or more potential universities for Newton’s services prior to the player transferring from a Texas community college. Hence, the background music during the pre-game.
Alabama’s part time DJ presumably passed on the Beatles’ “Money,” Pink Floyd’s “Money,” AC/DC’s “Money Talks,” the O’Jays’ “For The Love of Money” and of course Donna Summer’s “[He] Works Hard For The Money.” (Sorry. Just had to go there.)
Seriously though, this from Alabama public relations director Debbie Lane: “Our processes require that all music and videos played in the stadium prior to and during every game be carefully scripted and approved by a senior administrator in the Athletics Department. The former staff member deviated from the script that had been approved for the game with Auburn, and the University took steps to immediately terminate his contract.”
Alas, there is civility in perhaps college football’s most vicious rivalry.
Is the firing just or is it overreaction?
♦
(Here’s pre-game video, via YouTube. Fast forward to about the 9:35 mark to hear the two songs over the PA. Thanks for tip from Tweeter @JaxStateFan)
♦
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517 comments Add your comment
Dawg Trainer
November 30th, 2010
2:55 pm
“Always like to pull for a CLASSY team like Georgia Tech–got so much respect aroung the world – not just in Georgia…and of the big “3″ Technilogical Univ. in the world ( GT, Cal Tech, and MIT) – GT is the only one with an athletic program – – and FOUR National Championshsips in Football, and EIGHT consecutive football wins over univ of GA..still the record..Records do speak LOUD.”
Except when the record is wrong. Any Dawg can tell you Tennessee spanked that Dawg booty NINE times in a row. You can look it up!
Tricia
November 30th, 2010
3:04 pm
great article! very funny!
“sorry had to go there” hahahahaha
IDK Y
November 30th, 2010
3:27 pm
Devils
Frank
November 30th, 2010
4:17 pm
We are so PC it is absurd
WAR EAGLE!
November 30th, 2010
4:29 pm
PLEASE STOP HATIN’ ON CAM!!!! I don’t believe in the rumors, that kid didn’t take anything, BUT if he did…who cares???? Is is that deep, he sure as crap won’t be the first or last…Heisman in my book in spite of the allegations. War Eagle Cam! Keep your head up and never mind these haters…AU is behind you!!!
inmyopinion
November 30th, 2010
4:35 pm
Firing was WAY over the top…I would have loved to be there to hear the songs! Please, please please….don’t give Cam the Heisman
Jon Larry Flowers
November 30th, 2010
6:06 pm
I see political correctness at play here…..and I think the offender got what he had coming as he violated his own university’s rules. Like it or not, this athelete Cam Newton and his father have not been convicted of anything, only rumored to be such. When you play a game like this, you have to pay the piper…..I respect Alabama for taking the high road in this.
Jon Larry Flowers
November 30th, 2010
6:12 pm
Hey Dawg Trainer….your pithy comments about UGA are the result of what the Dawgs did to your bugs the other night….Don’t cheapen either team’s play by cheering for the absurd. I am a Dawg grad as my father and grandfather were….and my son and wife….and I designed the Georgia Tech helmet logo years ago and am proud I did. Grow up and get over it. Your team played well…..and Paul Johnson is a great coach.
Richt Paid My Bail
November 30th, 2010
7:00 pm
I think this was in good fun, and if constant media attacks over the past 2 months haven’t phased Cam, neither will a couple of songs played in Jordan-Hare West. Obviously someone (probably not Cam Newton) made a big enough stink for Bammer to start firing people, but I don’t think Cam would even care at this point. He’s going to be a millionaire in a couple of years and all of this will just be a humorous footnote.
weagle81
November 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
WOW, Talking about some real class..The fact that Alabama played Take the Money and Run and Son of a Preacher Man for their little entertainment on Cam Newtons behalf. That’s class!!! I’m glad the guy got fired!:) Not ALL Alabama fans, but a lot of them need to grow up. It’s ok Bammers you’ve always got last year! You just …get to live in the past for another year! WAR EAGLE! I can’t believe how much yall can’t keep Cam Newton’s name out of your mouth. You’d think he slapped your mom! Give the guy a break.. Bammers are just mad cause their 40 million dollar coach sucks!!! hahahahahah
Jon Larry Flowers
November 30th, 2010
11:05 pm
I am glad they fired the Bama dude……he broke established rules trying to be cute…..I agree there is way too much HAM in Cam but that doesn’t prove he or his dad is criminal…….the truth will out so let’s wait and see before we come to any hard conclusions…..and remember the old adage….”Money leaves a trail” That said, I don’t think AU with Cam can beat South Carolina……we’ll see.
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RaRa
December 1st, 2010
10:24 am
How about “Sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching the Tide roll away….”
mini mi-mi
December 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
Report: Iron Bowl songs targeting AU’s Newton were approved by UA staff
Posted: Dec 01, 2010 11:27 AM CST Updated: Dec 01, 2010 11:27 AM CST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – The Tuscaloosa News reports that a full-time staffer at the University of Alabama approved the songs that targeted Auburn quarterback during Iron Bowl warm-ups, and that he was not fired like a part-time staffer who played the songs.
The News report Wednesday said Justin Brant, director of Crimson Tide productions, participated in selecting the songs, “Take the Money and Run” and “Son of a Preacher Man.” Newton’s father, a pastor, allegedly sought money during his son’s recruitment by Mississippi State.
The newspaper cited two unnamed sources involved in UA’s investigation of the songs incident, which led to the firing of the part-time staffer. The paper said Brant declined comment.
UA spokeswoman Debbie Lane said earlier the songs undermined UA values. She did not immediately respond to an e-mail for comment Wednesday.
Read more on this story from TideSports.com.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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BAMA CHIC
December 1st, 2010
9:46 pm
BAMA ONCE AGAIN SHOWS THEY HVE CLASS..EVEN WIT A LOST TO OUR BIGGEST RIVAL…..I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW BAMA DOESNT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS SCANDAL…I PERSONALLY THINK ITS FUNNY BECAUSE THE DJ WAS RITE ON THE MONEY…BUT IF THE DJ IS GONNA BE FIRED SHOULDNT THE MAN THAT GAVE HIM APPROVAL ALSO BE FIRED….BAMA FANS STAND UP U….WE ROCK!!!!!!!