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

oldfart

November 30th, 2010
11:51 am

How ’bout Hank Jr.’s American Dream?

Too many lawyers in football
Baseballs gotta few
The pitcher got a million dollars
and the quarterback he got 2
Pitcher threw his arm away
and the quarterback burned his knee
And this they did so they could live the american dream
Now there are some preachers on tv with a suit and a tie and a vest
they want you to send your money to the lord but they give you their address
Cause all of your donations are completely tax free
God bless you all but most of all send your money
Do you really want it?
Do you really need it?
Ya gotta keep on grindin just ta try ta keep it
Ya got no time for yourself ya got more ba roe jim beam
Your goin crazy dreamin
The american dream

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
11:53 am

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
11:40 am
@AUBARN fan

And when did AU last win??? Being on probation doesn’t count and the fact you were shut out of the game several years ago sucks but doesn’t count either

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

Funny thing that you mention probation and it not counting. That’s something thUGA players know all about. But does thUGA have a separate account side aside for bail money or do you just let the boosters handle it?

Every once in a while

November 30th, 2010
11:55 am

I guess when you’re good once every twenty years, you build up a little hostility. Next year, back to last place. In case you couldn’t comprehend, I’m talking about Auburn.

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
11:55 am

@ALLBARN

Thanks for making yourself look like an idiot. You called out UGA for not winning since 1980 than changed the subject when the issue of AU last winning…..

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
11:56 am

J. Edgar Hoover

November 30th, 2010
11:06 am
By the way, Oregon is one of the dirtiest football prgrams around and the TV jocks will be running all kinds of coverage on that game, if it takes place.

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

Bama’s new moniker. If they can’t win, then someone is dirty.

MrMynor

November 30th, 2010
11:56 am

From what I understand, this move was as much in Alabama’s interest as anyone else’s. Apparently a number of high profile tide recruits were on hand when these songs were being played, and several of them found the move to be tasteless and offensive. From what I understand, a few recruits even left the game because they thought “Son of a Preacher Man” was racist (personally, i don’t see how race factors in here, this is just what I have been told by people i know who were present). Assuming that there is any truth to this information, then firing the person responsible is probably more an effort to save face with their own recruits than to apologize to Newton (which, notably, the press release never attempts to do).

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
11:56 am

“Unless you have access to a suite”

You answered your own question.

Steve Spurrier

November 30th, 2010
11:56 am

Auburn fans are complaining about a couple of songs ? Whine, Whine, Sniffle, Sniffle !
Thuuuuuggggsss

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
11:57 am

“Auburn fans are complaining about a couple of songs ?”

Nope, most of us couldn’t care less.

Dontavius Supremo

November 30th, 2010
11:57 am

Thought it was pretty funny, myself. Does no one in Alabama have a sense of humor?

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
11:58 am

“And when did AU last win???”

Win what?

“Being on probation doesn’t count and the fact you were shut out of the game several years ago sucks but doesn’t count either”

Huh?

Greg

November 30th, 2010
11:59 am

GABLUE you are funny. I got some beachfront property for you in Arizona at a good deal!!

mini mi-mi

November 30th, 2010
11:59 am

Bama just mad that the $ they were convicted of spending on their players didn’t get them much

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
11:59 am

“guess when you’re good once every twenty years, you build up a little hostility. Next year, back to last place. In case you couldn’t comprehend, I’m talking about Auburn.”

Guess math isn’t your strong suit. Auburn has finished in the top 10 in the last 6 years, not including this.

2004- #2

2006- #8

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:00 pm

“Thanks for making yourself look like an idiot. You called out UGA for not winning since 1980 than changed the subject when the issue of AU last winning…..”

Ma’am, you have the IQ of a carrot.

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:00 pm

@Redhead

Surely UGA has had more than its share of arrests and you are more than welcome to laugh, but why no mention of AU players being arrested in the last 12 months?

You do know some were arrested, right?

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm

My DAWGS are down

UGA employs more child pornographers than any school in the USA.

mini mi-mi

November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm

NCAA rolls Crimson Tide for violations
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The NCAA placed Alabama on five years’ probation Friday, jolting the program Bear Bryant built into a power with a two-year bowl ban and heavy scholarship reductions.

The governing body said it considered giving the Crimson Tide the most severe punishment — the death penalty — under the repeat violator rules for a recruiting scandal in which boosters were accused of paying money for high school players.

“They were absolutely staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Thomas Yeager, chairman of the infractions committee.

“These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred,” he said.

The university, accused of 11 major violations — one was later withdrawn — and five minor charges under two former coaches, said it would appeal

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm

@AU FAN

Guess you still couldn’t answer the question……… Figures

briz976

November 30th, 2010
12:04 pm

you know why most people hate auburn and cam newton on this site…..auburn 28-27 over alabama……auburn 49-31 over georgia, yeah this has been really classy, it shows how classy georgia and alabama fans are.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:04 pm

I heard the new battle cry for Bama is no longer Roll Tide. It’s: FIRE SABAN!

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:05 pm

“Guess you still couldn’t answer the question……… Figures”

You are one angry little loser.

Have fun at whatever bowl game 6-6 third rate football teams go to.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:05 pm

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
@AU FAN

Guess you still couldn’t answer the question……… Figures

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

Since you’re the one with the answers, why don’t you answer it for me. Go ahead. I’m giving you permission.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:06 pm

briz976

UGA and Bama fans are never classy. It’s because 99.99999% of Bama and UGA fans never went to either school.

"The money was just too much".............

November 30th, 2010
12:06 pm

The NCAA/FBI will destroy the BARN. SOONER OR LATER.

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm

@AU

You laugh at 1980 but YOU have to go back to 1957 for AUs last one

Nice try

Keep dreaming, have a good day and keep taking the GA kids who cant get into UGA or GT……..

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm

Auburn Redhead

She can’t be specific with her broad questions. I asked her “which one” to one of her questions and she comes back with “you’re an idiot.”

She sure is making dawg fans look mighty foolish.

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren) – you posts give me douche chills

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm

“The NCAA/FBI will destroy the BARN. SOONER OR LATER.”

Yeah, just like UGA won the national title in 2008 like most dawg fans screamed they would.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:05 pm
“Guess you still couldn’t answer the question……… Figures”

You are one angry little loser.

Have fun at whatever bowl game 6-6 third rate football teams go to.

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

Ol’ Roy must be selling a lot of rock chow to sponsor the Leg Humpers Bowl.

briz976

November 30th, 2010
12:08 pm

oh and bama fans what about julio jones and his chartered fishing trip….yeah when i go fishing i bring alot of good looking woment with me and no fishing poles too….please.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:08 pm

“you posts give me douche chills”

You should see your doctor, ma’am.

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:08 pm

@AU

How many BCS games have you guys went too?

Enjoy your season, it was good, but you will be back down

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:09 pm

“You laugh at 1980 but YOU have to go back to 1957 for AUs last one”

I never laughed at 1980, ma’am. Your words not mine.

“Keep dreaming, have a good day and keep taking the GA kids who cant get into UGA or GT”

The most ironic part of that statement is the fact that you never attended college.

briz976

November 30th, 2010
12:10 pm

My DAWGS are down

ok we may be back down….but were not down this year like some school in georgia im thinking of.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:10 pm

“How many BCS games have you guys went too? ”

Thanks for clarifying my point about how you didn’t go to college.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:11 pm

“Enjoy your season, it was good, but you will be back down”

Back down to what?

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:11 pm

My DAWGS are down

This is how I view you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rsbZYvei24

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:11 pm

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm
Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren) – you posts give me douche chills

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

a$$ whooping enemas the Tigers laid on Bammers and Puppies usually DOES result with the runs. Douching does help; your chills will eventually subside. Just sit in the bathroom a bit longer.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:12 pm

“Douching does help; your chills will eventually subside. ”

LOL

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:13 pm

Shut your mouth ginger.

Has anyone EVER met a cool Auburn fan??? Seriously folks…

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:13 pm

@briz

Enjoy it

Best students AU have are ones who cant get into UGA
Your graduates come to GA because there are not many good jobs in your weak state and even win you beat Bama you are still considered the 2nd tier school in the state

so keep having fun over there in Darwin’s playground………

Peace and Merry Christmas to all

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:14 pm

“Has anyone EVER met a cool Auburn fan??? Seriously folks…”

THAT’S YOUR COMEBACK??????????????

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHHH

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:15 pm

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:13 pm
Shut your mouth ginger.

Has anyone EVER met a cool Auburn fan??? Seriously folks…

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

Ginger? You obviously have me confused with McGinger. How’s that concussion by the way.

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:15 pm

Don’t flatter yourself, I wasn’t talking to you.

My DAWGS are down

November 30th, 2010
12:15 pm

briz976

November 30th, 2010
12:16 pm

My DAWGS are down

lol ok so since were better in football than you this year you wanna say that. i mean were talking about football and you wanna get into that. well if i was as bad as yall this year i wouldnt wanna talk about football either. ;)

ALL In! (with a showboating, cheating no good thug)

November 30th, 2010
12:16 pm

How’s that FBI investigation going by the way.

it’s nothing, I’m sure.

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:16 pm

“Best students AU have ”

PLEASE TAKE REMEDIAL ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!

“Your graduates come to GA because there are not many good jobs in your weak state”

Please show some proof for that ridiculous claim.

“you are still considered the 2nd tier school in the state”

Actually, Auburn ranks side by side with UGA and Bama in the list of top 100 universities.

“so keep having fun over there in Darwin’s playground………”

What a stupid comment from a stupid person.

Auburn Redhead

November 30th, 2010
12:17 pm

Auburn fan (Aubarn to my Bama bretheren)

November 30th, 2010
12:11 pm
My DAWGS are down

This is how I view you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rsbZYvei24

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

LOL!!!