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 Preacherman."

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)

Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

517 comments Add your comment

01HAWK

November 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Seems like I have gotten under the skin of a few BARNERS. Don’t feel bad……………..I work for myself and do not have to file as a W-2 employee. Yes, I am a BAMA GRAD along with my wife.

Seriously??

November 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Hey 01HAWK – You DO realize that you’re beloved school is on 3 years probation effective until June of 2012 and you have to vacate some of your wins right?!?!?!

These are for SEC and NCAA VIOLATIONS that happened in June of 07..

You’re calling Auburn cheaters for the act of ONE individual but at Alabama….

“The NCAA said up to 201 student athletes from 16 sports were involved.”

What a joke you are.

Steve Spurrier

November 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Auburn S#@KS ! THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGSSS

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Hawk, you owning the local port-o-potty business at least explains why you’re so full of crap!

01HAWK

November 30th, 2010
8:38 am

JULIO probably got the money from me. LOL

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
8:39 am

Believe me, you aren’t under anyone’s skin. We’re actually enjoying watching you twist in the wind. What else you got?

28-27!!!!

Seriously??

November 30th, 2010
8:40 am

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The NCAA has issued penalties against the University of Alabama for textbook violations that happened in 2007, involving athletes from a number of sports. Seven were football players.

Paul Dee, the Chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions announced the penalties in a teleconference at 2pm. UA will respond with a news conference at 4pm.

Auburn Sux

November 30th, 2010
8:40 am

Over reaction in a BIG WAY! Sometimes the truth has to hurt.

01HAWK

November 30th, 2010
8:41 am

WELL………………………..See how ignorant you are. Ran into a guy that sold PORTA POTTYS and he made a 6 figure income doing this job.

How ignorant you are while you sit in some cramped cubicle with a housewife, he is making much more than you are. It is all about the money, oh I forgot, Barners………….that slipped out.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
8:42 am

And don’t think you whining puppies are any less pitiful. Party 101 School of the Southeast. Even thUGA administrators can’t stay sober enough at work while sitting with government officials! Governors Deal and Barnes had the idiot escorted out because he was so drunk and unruly! Waaaah.

49-31!!!!!!

Auburn Man

November 30th, 2010
8:43 am

Georgia’s theme song this year is “Crying”.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
8:43 am

Hawk – go clean that toilet! You’re smelling up the place in here!!!

DC

November 30th, 2010
8:44 am

If you have never cheated in school…you are a dirty liar….You think that no college athelete cheats? What do you think a Tutor does? HE/SHE DOES THE WORK FOR THE KID!!…ok now for a nonathlete, What do you think a study group is…”HEY you do questions 1-4 and I’ll do the rest and we’ll turn it in…” WAKE UP!

Legally..Florida leaked information that should have not left the university…Cam/Cecil are going to sue the school and win…

Hawk get off your high horse..seriously..28-27..*CHOKE* *CHOKE*

Tail-Gator

November 30th, 2010
8:47 am

I already posted once about that music. Auburn is not the problem. It’s the no-class jerks at Alabama. Get over yourselves. We were National Champs two years ago, last year it was you, this year it’s looking like Auburn. Crimson Tide needs to stop embarrassing the SEC and support the Tigers. I hope the War Eagles take it all the way for another National SEC Title!

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
8:48 am

As an Auburn fan, even I can laugh at the song selection. The staffer should NOT have been fired for that.

How many times in baseball are songs played to opposing players?

Answer: LOTS

Scott

November 30th, 2010
8:50 am

I can think of several songs that should be played at UGA games. When the Dawgs run out of the field they could play “Arrested For Driving While Blind” by ZZ Top. The lyrics are great for UGA.

“Now just the other night with nothin’ to do
We broke a case of proof 102
And started itchin’ for that wonderful feel
Of rollin’ in an automobile
You could say we was out of our mind
And let me tell you we were flyin’ while blind”

Phyllis in Mulga

November 30th, 2010
8:51 am

@Auburn Redhead – The only way Auburn can win a championship is by CHEATING !!!!!!

What a bunch of losers.

wiredrite

November 30th, 2010
8:52 am

You’ve got to admit the song choices by the D.J. Are funny. Both sides of the fan base have horrible fans.

Charles in Reeltown

November 30th, 2010
8:53 am

@Tail-Gator – get a life you pickle kisser

sls

November 30th, 2010
8:55 am

It was okay to play those songs! Cam Newton is a thug!

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
8:56 am

SyPhyllis in Mulga

Speaking of losers, have fun watching Auburn in the SEC Championship.

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
8:57 am

Half of UGA’s football team has been to jail this year. Alabama is STILL on probation.

Bama and UGA fans are calling Auburn cheaters and losers.

Hypocrite much?

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
8:59 am

Song selection for UGA games:

1: Jailhouse Rock – Elvis
2: Folsom Prison Blues – Cash
3: Mama Tried – Haggard
4: Jenny Was a Friend Of Mine – Killers
5: Chain Gang – Cooke

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
9:00 am

I’m looking for songs for Alabama but I’m having a hard time finding songs about the KKK.

AubieMan

November 30th, 2010
9:01 am

Unlike in the hearts of most of their fans in these comments: class trumps the passion of passion in T Town. Well done, UA.

AubieMan

November 30th, 2010
9:02 am

Unlike most of their fans in these comments: class trumps the passion of rivalry in T Town. Well done, UA

WAR EAGLE

November 30th, 2010
9:03 am

“Seems like I have gotten under the skin of a few BARNERS. Don’t feel bad……………..I work for myself and do not have to file as a W-2 employee. Yes, I am a BAMA GRAD along with my wife.”

Not sure if you heard, but Auburn won the Iron Bowl.

Have fun at whatever bowl you guys end up in.

Tell It Like It Is

November 30th, 2010
9:05 am

They played the money song too soon. Just wait until Mr. Newton goes to the NFL next year as Carolina/Buffalo nemero uno selection. It’s about time since everyone else is cashing in on his talents. All that is left for him to achieve is the National Championship and the Heisman trophy. I salute you Mr. Newton. Forget the losers on this blog. LOL!!!

Scott

November 30th, 2010
9:06 am

01 Hawk – You are correct about past mistakes for Cam Newton being true. That is why by him going the JUCO route and earning his way back into school is a great story of redemption. How many talented players have given up when facing such obstacles.

I’m sure you have made mistakes – arent you glad you were given the chance to come back from them?

Miss Auburn 2010

November 30th, 2010
9:06 am

Take a look at Auburns finest. RTR!!! Good game boys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwhadVuAvfY

au md

November 30th, 2010
9:06 am

“THE BEST BALLGAME MONEY COULD BUY……….THE SOB SHOULD BE JAILED”
Is that a joke? Seriously? PLEASE let me know what crime any of them has committed. You are all experts at this by now anyway…your athletes going to jail that is. It is inevitable that all you dawgs will have your hateful comments. We aren’t worried about them. In fact, they just give us that much more inspiration for the National Championship. You stay classy UGA.

Auburn fan

November 30th, 2010
9:09 am

Too bad folks love to become critical, harsh and mean when someone is a good guy. Not only in sports but in life.

PMC

November 30th, 2010
9:10 am

Wow is that really lame for Alabama to fire a guy for that. Pathetic overstepping by members of the senior administration at the Athletics department.

That’s just good lighthearted digging for a story that still may have no merit whatsoever.

Firing a guy for playing popular music with no vulgarity really?

Do better Alabama staff. That’s lame.

[...] Jeff Schultz of the AJC has video proof of the Alabama song selections. [...]

Trooper "Pooper Scooper" Taylor

November 30th, 2010
9:12 am

Auburn Football: We had to buy a championship, we couldn’t earn it ourselves.

NICK SABAN

November 30th, 2010
9:12 am

Phone call: ring ring ring

Phone picks up: “Hello, this is Nick”

Other end: Hi Nick, this is Jerry Jones, how are you doin today?”

Nick: “Well, not so great since last Friday. Someone threw a brick through my window and had to clean off some spray paint off the side of my house.”

Jones: “Well, I’m sorry (snicker snicker) to hear that, Nick.”

Nick: “Me too, I thought I was invincible till Cam came along and ruined it for me.”

Jones: “How does 30 million dollars sound?”

Nick: “It sounds just fine.”

Jones: ” The plane will be there in one hour.”

Phone call ends.

NICK SABAN

November 30th, 2010
9:13 am

“Auburn Football: We had to buy a championship, we couldn’t earn it ourselves.”

Oh well, we here at Alabama did the same thing last year. Only, it was me they bought.

Bernie Madoff

November 30th, 2010
9:14 am

Was a Bama grad.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
9:14 am

Now add Phyllis to that idiot group trying to mount a dead horse. Maintenance!! Clean up in Aisle 8:51am. Thank you.

George Wallace

November 30th, 2010
9:15 am

Was a Bama fan.

Bull Connor

November 30th, 2010
9:15 am

Was a Bama fan, too.

Trooper "Pooper Scooper" Taylor

November 30th, 2010
9:16 am

@ Scott – He has made more than one mistake…

UF:
- Cheated three times and got caught every time
- Got 13 traffic citations
- Bought s stolen laptop
- Launched it out his window with police present
- Turned in a term paper purchased online

AU:
-Knowingly let his deddy accept $200,000 illegally
-Never attend class
-Showboat and dance around after each game
-Ditch the barn after 1 year for millions in the NFL

Forrest Gump was the most famous Bama grad

November 30th, 2010
9:16 am

“Now add Phyllis to that idiot group trying to mount a dead horse. ”

Well, I always knew Bama fans were into beastiality.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
9:16 am

Bernie Madoff

November 30th, 2010
9:14 am
Was a Bama grad.

****************************************

LOL!!! That explains the lack of morals and sense of entitlement!

Forrest Gump was the most famous Bama grad

November 30th, 2010
9:16 am

Trooper “Pooper Scooper” Taylor

What bowl is UGA going to this year? LOL

Forrest Gump was the most famous Bama grad

November 30th, 2010
9:17 am

“LOL!!! That explains the lack of morals and sense of entitlement!”

Bama has had fraternities openly wear KKK outfits to parties.

Awwwbarn redhead with a small package

November 30th, 2010
9:18 am

At least ALABAMA obeyed the rules when they bought Nick Saban.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
9:18 am

Forrest Gump was the most famous Bama grad

November 30th, 2010
9:16 am
“Now add Phyllis to that idiot group trying to mount a dead horse. ”

Well, I always knew Bama fans were into beastiality.

****************************************

LOL…well what would we expect. Her father can only go at it so many times in an hour.

Carlie

November 30th, 2010
9:18 am

Scott, I love that choice of songs for UGA. And every time they score they could play: D.U.I. by Greenday or Gin & Juice by Snoop Dogg

Forrest Gump was the most famous Bama grad

November 30th, 2010
9:18 am

“At least ALABAMA obeyed the rules when they bought Nick Saban.”

Alabama is on probation until 2012.