BUSHONG AND ON: FOLLOW-UP

by Orson on Jan 25, 2006 12:38 PM EST

Again, courtesy of reader Comanda, an update on the Garret Bushong "We run this place" Purdue story:

The Exponent--now firmly in the lead for dorkiest name in all of college football newspaperdom--reports today that Bushong's letter got such a nasty response on campus it has elicited a formal apology, co-written by Bushong with Associate AD Jay Cooperider. An excerpt:

My thoughts published in the Jan. 23 edition of the Exponent have set off a reaction that I could not have predicted and really regret...When I wrote the letter, I was trying to communicate directly to other football players and other student-athletes who feel as I do...I overreacted by writing the letter, and I am sorry.

Joe Tiller responded, too, saying that "The wholesome stuff that we do is boring to you guys," Tiller said. "But that is life."

Patently untrue! We find the wholesome stuff just as fascinating. For example: today, our sources reported that University of Florida offensive lineman Jim Tartt awoke early and headed for the weight room, stopping by the student cafeteria for a balanced but hearty breakfast of whole wheat toast, a four egg-white omelet, and a glass of orange juice. Tartt thought about grabbing a cherry danish, reached for it, and then recoiled when he thought of the negative physiological effects of long-term simple sugar consumption could have on his system. He then finished his meal, nary spilling a drop of his food and eating with what witnesses dubbed "impeccable, awe-inspiring table manners." As he entered the weight room, he held the door open for teammate Jemalle Cornelius, who thanked him cordially as he exited the facility with a smile. Courtesy, manners, and decorum were clearly the order of the day for Gator football this morning.

See? Wasn't that just as interesting? Who says we don't report the good stuff?

Jim Tartt: playa got manners like WHOA.

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Comments

I imagine AD Burke’s gentle segue into his discussion with Bushong went something like “you stupid sumbitch, why’d you wave your ass around like that?!”

by bitterhorn on Jan 25, 2006 12:57 PM EST reply actions

West Lafayette is in the middle of Indiana, thus, Burke likely said “you stupid [i]sonsabitch.[/i]”

Get your regional dialects straight, people…

by Norm on Jan 25, 2006 1:31 PM EST reply actions

Actually, I believe what Burke said was, “you stupid sumovabitch, why’d you wave your ass around like that?! I don’t care if you’re sorry or not, I’m yanking your scholarship if you don’t apologize”

Seriously, who REALLY believes that Bushong is sorry at all? And that he didn’t know what kind of reaction he would get is insane. I mean, if I walked into work one day and said, “I run this place” I know what would happen.

by Comanda on Jan 25, 2006 1:56 PM EST reply actions

said the athletic department assisted Bushong with the apology because it was clear Bushong’s written thoughts weren’t what Bushong intended.[/quote]

Or, to restate the point, the athletic department assisted Bushong with the apology because, despite three years’ worth of Purdue education, he can’t craft a three-paragraph letter to the editor without help.

Well, it’s either that or admit he said what he meant the first time and is now trying to cover his exposed ass.

by DevilGrad on Jan 25, 2006 1:59 PM EST reply actions

What a baffoon. This kid is dumber than most.

by Ben on Jan 25, 2006 2:07 PM EST reply actions

The real question to ask is did the AD meet Bushong at his locker, or did he meet him at Brandon Kirsch’s locker?

Nice story on Jim Tartt. What a wonderful, and respectful human being this gentleman is. Can we put together a fund to help this nice young man get a GOOD haircut? Looks like to guy only has access to a Flowbee and a disposable razor (for the trim job on the bangs).

For the love of God, Jim Tartt needs our help. Lets do the right thing here people.

by Rome on Jan 25, 2006 2:15 PM EST reply actions

We knew a guy who cut his hair with a Flowbee. As Phil Ken Sebben might say: HA! Not sexy.

by Orson Swindle on Jan 25, 2006 2:59 PM EST reply actions

Rumor has it that Ohio State’s English Department has contacted Bushong about coming on board as a visiting professor.

by Philly Gator on Jan 25, 2006 3:00 PM EST reply actions

I love how he thinks they run Purdue with that wonderful 5-6 record. I remember people booing justin zwick on the oval right after the loss to NU. Seriously, if anything the athletes should be afraid of what will happen to them if they don’t perform well.

by Azher on Jan 25, 2006 3:01 PM EST reply actions

I like that he considers writing the letter the overreaction. Maybe it was the tone and content of the letter, not so much writing the letter that was the problem. Maybe it should have said “I’m apologize for writing a letter, where I mentally stuffed the entire non-athelete student population in their respective lockers. I am truly a moron. So much for all of that.”

by RowdyRoddyPiper on Jan 25, 2006 10:14 PM EST reply actions

Man, it’s going to be tough for anything else to top this story for offseason hilarity. But it is early still.

by Brad on Jan 25, 2006 11:58 PM EST reply actions

When I wrote the letter, I was trying to communicate directly to other football players and other student-athletes who feel as I do

“…the fact that you normals happened to read it was a mistake. If I knew the everyday jerkoffs around this campus that take the last parking space or cover their papers during a test and don’t know that I’m a football player were going to read it, I wouldn’t have writed it.”

by tony on Jan 26, 2006 12:21 AM EST reply actions

“Courtesy, manners, and decorum were clearly the order of the day for Gator football this morning. "

Clearly Meyer has turned that program around.

by tzubear on Jan 26, 2006 11:41 AM EST reply actions

I had the honor of being the worst football player on the worst team in Mid-Michigan my junior and senior years. Both years we went 1-8 with the win each year coming against Ionia (Bushong’s alma mater). Bushong was on those teams and he wasn’t particularly good then, so I was pretty surprised when I read that he was heading to Purdue.

Still, it’s good to see an Ionia native getting this much attention in the sports news, something that hasn’t happened since a resident of that great city decided it would be a good idea to attack TJ Duckett.

by Tom on Jan 27, 2006 6:15 PM EST reply actions