Damon Evans’ story not one sports writers relish covering
Georgia AD Damon Evans faces a room full of reporters Thursday evening at UGA. He was charged with DUI Wednesday night. (AJC photo by Curtis Comption)
Athens – It has been a pretty long 30 hours or so. That’s about how long I’ve been following the Damon Evans story.
Normally I wouldn’t be as involved as I have since I am no longer on the UGA beat. Nowadays I cover recruiting on the AJC Recruiting Blog and my talented colleague Tim Tucker normally covers the Bulldogs for us. But Tim, like the better part of the working world it seems, is on vacation this week. So I’ve been having to fill in.
I don’t think I’m off base here in saying I don’t care much for covering stories like these. I talked yesterday to virtually every one of the Georgia beat guys and assorted TV and radio reporters, most of whom I have known a long time, over at Evans’ press conference. I can tell you in all honesty that they all feel the same way.
It was a pretty surreal scene over at the Rankin Smith Academic Achievement Center. Nobody was sure what was about to take place. A resignation? Righteous indignation? But I don’t think any of us expected the soul-bearing admission of guilt that we got.
In the course of doing our jobs, we naturally get to know well the subjects we’re covering. In the case of Evans, I’ve actually known him since he signed with Georgia as a wide receiver out of Gainesville in 1989. I’ve always been impressed at how far Damon has come since he was that tall, skinny, backup wideout for Ray Goff.
Of course, I got to know him much better in the years since he returned to UGA, first as an assistant AD and then as the director of athletics. I’ve always found him to be accessible and fairly forthright. I’ve bugged him to death over hirings and firings and disciplinary rulings such as the one that apparently is about to befall him. I’ve seen him deftly preside over board meetings and articulately speak to rooms full of UGA supporters. I’ve been awed by his knowledge of finance and his vision for UGA athletics.
But when things like this happen, all that must be brushed aside to focus objectively on the facts that are available to us and present them to the public in as unfiltered a manner as possible. And that’s what will be done in this case.
It is often said, “with success comes scrutiny.” That may be even more true with failure.
Meanwhile, PR types argue about whether or not a press conference should have been called. And if you do have one, they ask, what should be tone and content of that session? I’ve heard a few wonder whether he should have fielded questions as he did. So moral and ethical judgments aside, do you think Evans and/or UGA has handled this whole situation properly?
What say you all on that note? What were your impressions of Evans as he delivered his five-minute statement and answered questions for about the same about of time? And finally, how do you think it all affects UGA?
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141 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
July 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
With this already on nbcsports.com, you can bet Jay Leno is going to jump all over it.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
July 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
All you other fans from other schools need to control your nasty comments. I’ve been around many years, followed college ball a long time and I will garentee you some embarrassing situation will happen somewhere else in the future. So lets keep a civil lid on it. I feel for the guy and his family, however I think he needs to go.
Beach Dawg
July 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
Oh by the way, what if it had been one of the coaches and not the AD — how soon would that coach have been on the unemployed roles!! I would hope that the decisions are based on the seriousness of the incident and that the fact that he is a minority does not preclude doing the right thing!!
Tide Roll
July 2nd, 2010
6:04 pm
Georgia Fans Let me help you on this. It’s not a coincidence that the hag was wearing red panties. They are more than likely a gift from Evans. She’s his girlfriend you morons. Nasty school run by nasty prople. Where’s the lysol.
Atlantan
July 2nd, 2010
6:05 pm
Tom nails it – you can make up this kind of irony. Damon apologizes for essentially acting like Rankin Smith in the Rankin Smith center funny stuff.
As a Uga grad I think he should resign or be terminated. He exhibited terrible judgment and should have to pay the consequences. I forgive him as most people do – he didn’t do anything that hurt me frankly. However he will need to pull a Franchione or George O’Leary and start over in another place. Chip is right it isn’t fun to watch people self-destruct.
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:06 pm
Tide Roll…Damon makes $500K/yr…he can do better than panties…ummm I’m thinking jewelry….come on man…this aint Alabama…..
Bill
July 2nd, 2010
6:06 pm
Thank Goodness her underwear was Red and not Orange!!!
Best of Atlanta
July 2nd, 2010
6:07 pm
—————————————–
…Joshua Nesbitt for Heisman…
—————————————–
Red Panties
July 2nd, 2010
6:08 pm
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:00 pm
I thought vodka was “oderless..”..???
It is, until it starts coming out of your skin, which means he had
quit abit more than 3 vodkias.
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:09 pm
Thanks Red Panties…I was trying to play lawyer….my bad
WestOfAthens
July 2nd, 2010
6:12 pm
Damon Evans made a tremendous lapse in judgement. Who can argue?
Some comments posted here are simply repulsive. Maybe you people need to look in the mirror as well.
Sickening
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:13 pm
Atlantan …ummm the guys you mentioned could “coach”….Damon is an administrator….he’s screwed…he was lucky to have the job in the first place….ever heard of the “Scarlet Letter”…by Nathaniel Hawthorne…I don’t mean to get all dramatic but Evans is screwed…sux to be him….
Tyler
July 2nd, 2010
6:14 pm
Well you’re an idiot then Ted and I certainly wouldn’t want you in any upper level mgmt position.
lud
July 2nd, 2010
6:15 pm
For the good of the entire SEC, this two-faced drunken crybaby needs to be fired immediately.
I hope that we see him on the Cheaters TV show in the near future.
Delbert D.
July 2nd, 2010
6:15 pm
There’s an updated blog with police report details.
Dawgs2010
July 2nd, 2010
6:15 pm
“Evans had a pair of red panties in between his legs.”
Enough said.
Game Over!
Go to Jail….Do not pass GO. Do not collect $550,000.
Reptiles Rule
July 2nd, 2010
6:16 pm
Lets see…the police report stated he had the young ladies red panties between his legs when he was pulled over. Then he threw out the fact that he was the A.D. of UGA in an apparent effort to get excused for his DUI. Hmmmmm…as you guys love to say….and you want to keeps this guy?? He has/will make you the laughingstock of every school if he stays on. The damage is already bad enough. It’s a sad story…..
lud
July 2nd, 2010
6:18 pm
I guess Earl Butz was right after all.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Beach Dawg
July 2nd, 2010
6:20 pm
In a taped message that appears during every UGA home game, Evans tells fans, “If you drink and drive, you lose.”
Enough said — he no longer has credibility!!
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:23 pm
Gosh…the more I think about it he must have been hammered..once you see the blue lights behind you should put the red panties under your seat….right..???
'tween the hedges
July 2nd, 2010
6:23 pm
At least, he was not with another man between his legs like some the GTers in Midtown.
And to Dixie hag, we will C R U S H, and I mean CRUSH GT between the hedges
Red Panties
July 2nd, 2010
6:30 pm
Adam’s should give Evan’s until Monday to honorably resign, if he doesn’t,
Adam’s should tell Damon, don’t let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
If Evans stays, Georgia will be the laughing stock of the SEC, as well as the nation
for decades. Even leaving, the ghost of Evans will haunt UGA for years to come.
Red Panties
July 2nd, 2010
6:31 pm
Bob Horner had asweet compact swing
July 2nd, 2010
6:23 pm
Gosh…the more I think about it he must have been hammered..once you see the blue lights behind you should put the red panties under your seat….right..???
GOOD POINT!
Old School
July 2nd, 2010
6:40 pm
Even though I am a life-long Tech fan, I see this as a sad situation. From what I have seen and heard Evans appeared to be an excellent AD and a class person. But—we all have feet of clay, and consequences must be paid. I would be shocked if negotiations are underway—if not already completed—in which Evans’s attorney gets with one of UGA’s legal eagles and a financial deal will be arranged in which he resigns. If he refuses—which I think would be unfathomable—he will be fired. This is the way these things work. Mark it down: it will happen and will be announced tomorrow or no later than Monday. That is the only way this can pan out. He might have survived the DUI with a few penalties—despite the hypocrisy angle. But the “red panties” and his comments referenced in police report did him. Way, way too much to overcome.
AltamahaDawg
July 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm
Um no SEC fan I’m not kidding. A month from now , nobody in this room will give a damn. Most the country doesnt give a damn today. If this were the AD at Auburn it wouldnt get an hours worth of attention from our fans. AND You are in here taking whatever shots you can at UGA on a daily basis, long before this, so I really don’t give a damn what you think anyway.
The University of Georgia didn’t go get a DUI, an employee did, and they will deal with it accordingly. So spare me the drama Nancy.
Are you seriously contending that any human being in thier right mind actually would “get the message” that The University of Georgia is advocating drinking and driving because of this? geez.
Going to come out of this without a scratch, with an upgrade at AD. Sorry.
AltamahaDawg
July 2nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Red panties how do you figure this to haunt UGA for years to come? In what way? and with whom? This is going to haunt Georgia for a weekend, till it’s resolved and the attention will turn to the excitment of looking for a new and better AD.
DoggieHater
July 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Red panties between his legs, drunk and crying…..this is priceless and I swear is better than I could ever make up….what an embarrassment to the rednecks from Athens. Even the pick up truck alumni are abandoning the Damon ship……see ya later Damon….you can chase white women all you want when your wife dumps your butt, but I dont think you will have much money to do it….say bye bye to big bucks you big dummy
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clickdawg
July 2nd, 2010
10:25 pm
jo, ever heard of a thing called money?
redeyedjak
July 3rd, 2010
9:28 am
Been there and done that and got the Dumb and Dumber award. I was not the athletic director of a major school and all but lost everything. He’s got to go and the sooner he resigns the better the university will be. If he’s waiting on President Adams he must have some D$&@ good negatives on file.
you mean
July 3rd, 2010
9:31 am
sportswriters do not like covering this sort of story with the exception of bradley and schultz. Oh wait they’re really not sports writers!
no bulldog fan
July 3rd, 2010
10:58 am
All you dawg fans–you think your stuff doesn’t stink and that all will be well in a few weeks. ‘No harm done’. Things like this and your holier than thou attitudes just continue everyone’s belief that you are third class losers. Your university is embarrassed to the hilt and you think it’s really no big deal. But I guess when you deal with this kind of thing all the time, it IS a sad way of life for you. You should be embarrassed and keep your mouths shut for a change. There is nothing positive about your crying like a baby, trying to throw his weight around, drunk driving , cheating on his wife AD. And not much more about a college president and ole Vince himself who basically have no comment almost three days later. Quality and integrity just don’t make it at UGAg.
Sonja Leonard
July 3rd, 2010
11:11 am
He is an idiot………………He does not deserve to keep that job as AD. He needs to resign before he is fired. He was probably doing those things all along. He just got caught this time. As far as his family is concerned, I am sure his wife was aware of his womanizing ways.All wives know. She is probably shocked that everybody else knows now ……………….and her money is now going to be cut!!!! They will need to downsize……………….:)
UGA$$$Contributor
July 3rd, 2010
2:42 pm
Damon should be fired for this grievous lapse of judgment and his lack of morals. That part is not negotiable. What about Adams? How will this affect him? Damon was his protege, he dumped the great VD unceremoniously to install his puppet, and some of this mess should correctly reflect on him. Maybe this is a good chance to get him out of our hair once and for all. He has had a Teflon skin for far too long, but now maybe some of this will stick to him and we can begin the process of reclaiming our great university.
Chas
July 3rd, 2010
5:57 pm
This may be of some comfort Mr Evans,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br-Dy3puDoc
UGA Alumnus 1957
July 3rd, 2010
9:52 pm
I have no sympathy for this hipocrit. He is just like Tiger and Kobe. He is a bum and a jerk and there is no excuse. His position is one of the top jobs in state and one of the best AD jobs in the country. He showed no respect for his family, his supporters, the University, and the people who trusted him in this capacity, and those who recommended him for this position.
I am very sad for the entire event but he also injured the multitude of African-Americans who aspire responsible executive positions. How could he have the Golden Goose and treat it so terrible. Of course this is a life changing event for him and his family. I suspect details of his severance are being worked out now to prevent further damage to the University.
I would like to see anyone debate why he should not be considered a bum and low life for these actions. If he were applying for AD position at any college now, I doubt if he would even get an interview. One wonders if this is a recurring event and if so, how did he not think that eventually these women would expose him.
steve
July 3rd, 2010
9:59 pm
That girl set him up she was paid by a Tech grad.Took him out got him drunk and promised him a white girl
Lisa Oliver
July 5th, 2010
3:44 pm
I have never seen such a huge fall from grace. Let’s all keep the Evans family in our prayers.
SICKnTired
July 5th, 2010
11:07 pm
ever notice that when a black person says there is racisim involved every one speaks up to say Racisim is dead and black people are playing the victim, yet when a white person says something racist “Damon Evans was an affirmative action hire” “he was hired because he was black” etc etc that no one ever denounces that.
Reminds of how we attack Muslims for saying we are attacking their faith yet they never denounce islamic facisists.
Not saying Damon’s firing was racist. Just amused by the lack of outrage when some one makes a blatantly tasteless comment.
Please no keyboard bravado needed. Everyone is a big man when they can’t be held accountable.
SICKnTired
July 5th, 2010
11:08 pm
Oh and if any one gets upset if opposing fans wave red panties. Get a Life and grow a pair. We are DAWGS not whimpering mutts. We can take it.
Debbie
July 16th, 2010
1:14 pm
To Damen and family: This is a time for much praying and self searching. Please stay strong and do not allow for this awful inciendent to overshadow your marriage and commitment to the children. Yes we all fall short of the mark from time to time. Just be strong and make your marriage work. Please do not throw in the towel unless you both can honesty say that your love for each other is not greater than this. Yes it hurts, but this is the time for forgiving and healing. If your love and marrigae is worth fighting for: Make this your biggest fight! May God bless and keep you all in His tender loving Arms.