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?
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(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
dk5150
November 29th, 2010
11:36 pm
I love all the Zen about “Mississippi State is turning themselves in”. Why would they do this? Why would someone wake one morning and say, “Oh, I feel like dragging a ‘fine’ young man’s name through the dirt today?” This doesn’t make sense. Just like Chewbacca living on Endor. And, WHY ON EARTH would the NCAA, FBI, ESPN, NYT, TMZ, FOX Sports, etc, etc get involved if THERE WAS NOTHING? There is alot more going on here than we “blog” posters know about. This will not be resolved overnight, or even this year for that matter. $cam will be long gone before the NCAA acts, and he won’t give two “poops” about the Barn then.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:36 pm
Now, in full disclosure, I’ll start by saying I’m an Auburn fan.
But yes, absolutely, this guy should have been fired. This kind of thing is funny (Gucci Mane – Makin’ Love to the Money, is my suggestion) for us, on message boards, where this kind of cheekiness and amateurism is the norm. But come on, even in the sake of rivalry, if you are a Bama fan you have to be embarrassed that this was played over the loud speakers.
This guy’s job is to operate the loud speaker (probably among other things). As we all know by now, college football is big business. If this guy worked for any company in the private sector, he would have been canned the instant it happened. It’s one thing if a random student sneaks in and does this, it’s another if a paid professional defies courtesy and projects a horrible image of his employer, the UA athletic department.
People are focusing on the wrong things here. I won’t even debate whether or not he’s actually guilty of the charges, that’s been rehashed a million different times and won’t be settled until the NCAA says it is. But for a public university to intentionally mock and try to embarrass an athlete on gameday is unreal. Luckily for Alabama, them firing this guy shows that when it comes to putting on a competitive atmosphere, they won’t let immature slandering interfere. Leave that to the fans decked out in colors, not the professionals who’s only charge is to create and promote a fair and fun environment to watch football.
If Auburn had done something similar to an opposing player, I promise you I would be embarrassed.
Irrelevance
November 29th, 2010
11:37 pm
BhamBlonde,
Cam is gone in a month or 2 and you’ll go right back to irrelevance. He is the difference in AU going 12-0 or 7-5. Oh, and don’t forget that you will be handed some serious probation when the whole cash cam deal is revealed. Ole Cecil really done a number he did.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 29th, 2010
11:38 pm
Dawg Fan yes you have run this state for 12 years. Just look what Sonny and Roy did to this state while in the Govenor’s Mansion.
flagboy?
November 29th, 2010
11:40 pm
Gene
November 29th, 2010
9:21 pm
I guess that Newton sort of had the last laugh on this one.
_________________________________________________
the last laugh in this one might be a few years down the road. Problem being, the person who should be laughed at when it finally happens probably won’t hear the chuckles.
I don’t think Reggie Bush cried too many tears.
dk5150
November 29th, 2010
11:41 pm
@BHAM Blonde. Y’all didn’t take anything, y’all might have GIVEN something… to the tune of $200K!! Enjoy your vacated victories!!! At least you can (and will) say that y’all won it on the field. And, playing “Take the Money and Run” is funny. Telling someone to go to Hell, especially from “God’s Team”, as you guys claim to be… can be construed as class-less from such “good Christians”.
Irrelevance
November 29th, 2010
11:42 pm
WDE,
Immature slandering? So playing a song means you’re slandering someone? And you can prove that can you?
As for the public private sector I thought universities were in the private sector. As far as I know AU and UA are not govt run entities.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:43 pm
And people who think Auburn will go back to “irrelevance”: Let’s start by assuming the majority of people here are Auburn, Bama, Tennessee, Florida, and UGA fans. Auburn was 5-7 two years ago, and 8-5 last year. Every single one of you has gone through similar seasons (either currently or in the not so distant past). You are idiots if you can’t remember back to Auburn being #1 or #2 in the SEC west for most of the 2000s.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 29th, 2010
11:47 pm
Irrelevance
YOU didn’t go to college did you? Auburn and Alabama are PUBLIC Universities. Tax payer money supports them. The Board of Regents run them. God you UGA fans are stupid. You never went to college and you are a Dawg Fan showing why Tech fans hate you. I see you are putting the Public(government)High School Education to work.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:48 pm
Irrelevance-
If we’re bring out the legal dictionary, then replace “slandering” with “mocking” and it doesn’t change my point. A proud program like Alabama, or any school in Div-I, will never condone that. It is more embarrassing for the school than it is for the player its meant to target.
The actual schools, and their athletic departments, are above this s***. These jokes are for us to make, not to be broadcast in an official capacity over the loudspeaker.
And I’m not sure what you don’t understand about my private/public sector comments. My point is there is a lot of reputation and a lot of money riding on this program, and they have to hold themselves to a professional standard.
I want you to think about this a little deeper than “us vs. them”.
dk5150
November 29th, 2010
11:50 pm
@WDE #1 or #2 while on probation!!! People’s Champions, 2004! HA!!!! Explain exactly how a coach that was 5-19 at Iowa come to the cow college and start getting 4 and 5 star recruits when the ENTIRE Barn nation was up in arms when Dye hired Cheeze-nip? Also, please explain how you guys are doing so far THIS year in recruiting? I think that is a HUGE tell tale sign that something is up. You guys were in the top five this time last year… and now you are 24.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:50 pm
Irrelevance-
Uhh, they are public universities… and they’re generating private-sector levels of money through their football programs. Regardless, the point is that Bama football is a big deal and anyone officially affiliated with them should be held to a very high professional standard.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:53 pm
Not everyone was up in arms about Chizik. You’re too nearsighted to realize that he was the Will Muschamp/Kirby Smart of his time when he was DC at Auburn and Texas. He sold to recruits his back-to-back undefeated/national championship caliber defenses. And you are a fool if you are going to bring in midseason rival recruiting rankings to the discussion.
flagboy?
November 29th, 2010
11:53 pm
DAMON
November 29th, 2010
10:56 pm
This time next year, Cam will be a multi-millionaire…….what will YALL be?? Chew on that while sitting in your deer stand.
_____________________________________________
Probably still college football fans. So while Cam will be a multi-millionaire, some kids might be left to face the music a year or two (or more) down the road. (I said Might)
I’m betting a guy like you is happy to see the NBA getting cranked up. Should be right up your alley.
WDE
November 29th, 2010
11:56 pm
Fact of the matter is, no one here knows anything about what the truth is. The rest of you are just hoping and begging that the allegations are true, because makes you fell better to see other people screw up. Fact is, as far as message boards go, the damage is done. But I’ll take on-field results over what a gas station UGA fan says.
Dede
November 30th, 2010
12:00 am
Why does everyone overreact so much now. It was funny. No big deal.
He really should not be allowed to play until the investigation is over.
but the SEC doesn’t really care if “criminals” play if they are good.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
November 30th, 2010
12:01 am
@ WDE – without $CAM your team is nothing. He will bolt the second he sees those $ signs. Who cares about 10 years ago… Were talking this decade. The barn is done after this season.
Getty Up!
November 30th, 2010
12:01 am
Its All About The Benjamins- Puff Daddy
For Love of The Money- The O’Jays
Just Got Paid- ZZ Top
My Contribution
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 30th, 2010
12:03 am
Dede
So if you are charged with a crime you shouldn’t be allowed to do your job until the criminal case is resolved? If you are found innocent then where do you think your job will be?
flagboy?
November 30th, 2010
12:03 am
Dede, that would pretty much be up to the NCAA, not the SEC.
flagboy?
November 30th, 2010
12:04 am
however. . thinking back on it. . i think there was something in the SEC rules about eligibility and agents or something. . .hum.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
November 30th, 2010
12:05 am
Must Be the Money – Nelly
Mo Money Mo Problems – Notorious B.I.G.
WDE
November 30th, 2010
12:06 am
Yeah, without Cam we’re nothing. That’s why last year with a bum-shouldered QB that got benched the year before, we were in the top three in the SEC in offense as well. If you said, “Without Malzahn, you’re nothing…” I’d give a little more thought to what you’re saying. But naturally, you’re not very bright.
WDE
November 30th, 2010
12:08 am
And I’ll say this… without Cam, your team is nothing too! It’s easy to throw rocks when you have nothing to lose yourself by being wrong.
Dk5150
November 30th, 2010
12:08 am
Really, WDE? If he was such a genius, then why was he 5-19? And, you are correct about bringing recruits into the conversation this early… But, only a fool cannot see that you guys are in trouble. So, enjoy your People’s national championship this year. I hope $cam wins the Heisman, then has to give it back just like Reggie! Ha! Isn’t it ironic that USC was the last team that went through this for almost the same thing?
Juliet
November 30th, 2010
12:10 am
Overreaction. Political correctness rules all. Sure don’t wanna offend anyone. The worst of it was the snarky music may have fired the Tigers up enough to win.
Dk5150
November 30th, 2010
12:12 am
Without Malzahn and the three pass plays that the barners have? I think it will be easy to see what AU looks like without Malzahn when he bolts either shortly before or after $cam!
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
November 30th, 2010
12:13 am
@ WDE get a clue. The only way the BARN can win is to CHEAT.
WDE
November 30th, 2010
12:13 am
First of all, you are confusing Malzahn (our OC) with Chizik (our HC). I could stop there because you clearly know nothing about the Auburn program.
Iowa State is historically one of the worst programs in the country, definitely the Big 12. Fact is though, he built them up and Paul Rhodes (another former Auburn DC) took over and begins winning. I can’t look in a crystal ball and say what would have happened if Chizik stayed at ISU, but it isn’t going too far out on the limb to say he left the cupboard fuller than when he arrived.
WDE
November 30th, 2010
12:13 am
Fleischman, you care to disclose your affiliation?
WDE
November 30th, 2010
12:14 am
Same goes with you Dk5150… who do you root for?
Tuna
November 30th, 2010
12:19 am
Pathetic!
What if the “staffer” had been black and played that music and Newton were white with the same allegations swirling? I suspect there would have been no disciplinary action toward the staffer in that case. Liberalism is destroying America and hurting the black man more than they know.
Bob
November 30th, 2010
12:20 am
So totally worth it!
I’m thinking that man just passed his audition and will quickly move on to bigger and better gigs.
Dk5150
November 30th, 2010
12:20 am
Fleischman, the Barn has been cheating for years. As a matter of fact, if you look at the top twenty five teams that have been busted by the NCAA, AU ranks number two! They are about to be number one, though!
WDE, cheesenip is a stand in for Pat Dye. The ONLY reason he is having success there is because of Tubs and then the money y’all ponies for $cam and the others!
Dk5150
November 30th, 2010
12:22 am
I am a Crimson Tide fan. Have ben since I knew what football was back in the early seventies.
Dk5150
November 30th, 2010
12:24 am
Stupid android phone with the swype keyboard!
DAMON
November 30th, 2010
12:24 am
FLAGBOY: a recap for you; played organized basketball one year, grade 6. Played football grade 6 -12. Played baseball grade 6- college. Yeah, basketball right up my alley. Playing war games with paint guns is probably right up your alley.
That’s what make this country great, Cam can make millions without getting a degree, and you and yours can continue your make believe war games.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
November 30th, 2010
12:24 am
RMFT!
and go USC…. or whatever the hell they say up there.
AUMom
November 30th, 2010
12:36 am
Ben…. I have to ask – do you watch college football? If so…. have you ever heard of these :
Georgia Tech, with the Yellowjackets and the Ramblin’ Wreck, the real Model T Ford that drives in parades and onto the football field?
Alabama’s the Crimson Tide, yet their mascot is an elephant?
Tennessee is the Volunteers, yet they bring out a Blue Tick Hound?
Harvard is both the Crimson and the Johns.
Yale is the Bulldogs and the Eli.
Stanford is the Cardinal and a tree?
Western Kentucky is the Hilltoppers, yet the mascot is a big red muppet?
University of Miami is the Hurricanes, yet the mascot is Sebastian the Ibis?
There are more examples……..I cannot understand why Auburn is singled out in this way when almost every University has similar mascots/names.
Gene Cheatzit
November 30th, 2010
12:39 am
I’m not sure what you guys are talking about. This is a fine young man, from a fine family. Our alumni in these big engineering firms are making donations to the church. That is all this is. No, that balloon over Bryant Denny was not a Cam Newton mobile donation center, it was just a hot air balloon that follows me around and stays aloft. What kind of contract is it anyway? They don’t mean anything. Just ask the people up at Iowa State.
P. Bull Terrier
November 30th, 2010
12:42 am
Something In Your Mouth: Cam Newton Remix – (borrowed from Nickleback)
Got to sign the player with the money hungry daddy
They say it’s over budget but you’d pay him just to rush it – come on
Needs to hit the big screen and shoot a little ESPN scene
If USC had called him he’d be gone before ya hollered – come on
Pretty little QB with the tight end body
Every sugar daddy hittin’ on him all night long
Doesn’t care about the money he could be with anybody
Ain’t it funny how the QB wanted Auburn all along
P. Bull Terrier
November 30th, 2010
1:03 am
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 29th, 2010
11:47 pm
Irrelevance
YOU didn’t go to college did you? Auburn and Alabama are PUBLIC Universities. Tax payer money supports them. The Board of Regents run them. God you UGA fans are stupid. You never went to college and you are a Dawg Fan showing why Tech fans hate you. I see you are putting the Public(government)High School Education to work.
————————————————————————
Alabama and Auburn are run by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, not the Board of Regents. If you’re going to slam somebody for ignorant comments, you should at least get your facts straight.
Kristin
November 30th, 2010
1:06 am
Rules are rules – were the songs/videos approved accordingly or not? Blank and white. If yes – keep job. If no – buddy, there aren’t a lot of jobs for DJ’s out there.
michael
November 30th, 2010
1:14 am
total overreaction. in this economy why would you fire someone? what happened with the fire hose days, the bulldog attack on the field. it was all in good fun, right?? what happened to a reprimand or suspension like they give players? why wasn’t that uga coach fired for his take in the ga / fl game? was the fired alabama employee known for this in the past??? SPELL IT OUT TABLOID.
will
November 30th, 2010
1:26 am
For when Cam runs around and does his dance “Shake Your Moneymaker” by Elmore James. heck also applies to the cheerleaders
Bubba Dodd
November 30th, 2010
1:41 am
You reap what y’a sow…..Cam seems like fair game to me. If the current players or ADs for that matter at UGA keep up their impressive arrest records would you berate opposing stadiums from playing songs like “I fought the law and the law won”, “Working on the Chain Gang” or in memory of their terminated AD, Damon Evans,….”Why don’t we get drunk and screw”!!!! Guess that refering to their mascot Uga as Chuga would be out of the question….right????????
The Muslim Hammer
November 30th, 2010
2:31 am
Dawg in OH…….That isn’t UGA’s fight song. That is the battle hymn of the Republic. If you aren’t going to be original with your fight song don’t get mad when someone else does what you did and just rips the song off.
Larry
November 30th, 2010
3:00 am
I am an Auburn graduate and I thought nothing of it. Over reaction by the Bama folks.
AU For The Win
November 30th, 2010
3:03 am
Hmmm…I don’t recall you guys laughing, oh let’s say about 6:30pm, Friday, November 26! Let’em laugh now, I say. After all, they’re only covering their true inner emotions – crybabies. Waaaah! And here we go with the cheat stories AGAIN. Keep telling yourselves our 12-0 will be forfeited. The ONLY ones who believe this are Bama and Puppies – more like desperation on your parts and the whole nation gets to see it on these blogs! LMAO!!!
But for the record, Alabama is NOT Saturday Night Live or SouthPark. The music was tacky and had it been Auburn you rednecks WOULD be burning down Toomer’s Corner! Oh wait…the Puppies already tried that! Niiiiice…wonder how that jail cell is working out for them.
derek
November 30th, 2010
3:06 am
It doesn’t take much to amuse the people on this thread. This was funny?
George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Rodney Dangerfield were funny.
The Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs are hilarious!
Thinking the Falcons are going to win a Super Bowl……..Priceless!