THE SCOOP
The theater department at Ole Miss performed a play, “The Laramie Project,” about an openly gay male who was murdered in Laramie County, Wyo. According to the school newspaper, about 20 football players were among those in attendance who heckled cast members with derogatory slurs.
From The Daily Mississippian:
“According to the play’s director and theater faculty member Rory Ledbetter, some audience members used derogatory slurs … and heckled both cast members and the characters they were portraying for their body types and sexual orientations. Ledbetter said the audience’s reactions included ‘borderline hate speech.’”
The paper reported that the players were enrolled in a theater course and that attendance was required. The play’s house director contacted an Ole Miss coach, who then contacted an athletic department representative. After the representative arrived, the players apologized through one unidentified player.
“The football players were asked by the athletics department to apologize to the cast,” department chair Rene Pulliam told the paper. “However, I’m not sure the players truly understood what they were apologizing for.”
SPURRIER SPEAK
Steve Spurrier just can’t help himself.
The coach who once chided fans for leaving Williams-Brice Stadium early had a different recently.
“We are fired up that (Kentucky) is another sellout. We appreciate our fans buying the tickets, and I want to say this: I can’t criticize our fans if they leave early. I appreciate you buying the tickets,” he said. “I know sometimes I go to a ballgame here on campus and I leave before it’s over, too, because I like to beat the crowd out.”
But … with Spurrier, there’s always seems to be a but.
“Now the students, I think they should stay,” Spurrier said. “They got nothing else to do all night except party around a little bit. They are going to be up half the night or all night anyway. So, students, sing the alma mater with us.”
Student complaints generally are about the shuttle service to campus, high concession pricing and poor cellphone reception.
CALL IT A LOAN
Alabama assistant strength-and-conditioning coach Corey Harris has been placed on administrative leave after compliance department officials discovered he gave a loan of less than $500 over the summer to junior safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Clinton-Dix was suspended Wednesday, and there is no timetable for his return.
The newspaper also said Clinton-Dix repaid the loan and had a bank statement that proved it. The report states that Harris was found to have had a connection to a representative of a sports agent, but Clinton-Dix had no contact with any agent representatives.
BY THE NUMBERS
32 FBS players who have been called for targeting this season, with seven of them from the SEC. Eight of the players have been reinserted into the game after a review, three of those from the SEC.
About the Author
