Tuberville Jumps On The Birtherism Hate Train

Tommy Tuberville

I will get right to the point on the birther comments made by Texas Tech University coach Tommy Tuberville just prior to President Barack Obama release the long form of his birth certificate.

My message is simple: Black recruits, and recruits of color in general, should think twice before signing to play for this man or even letting this man come into their home for a recruiting visit. Is this a man who is truly open minded to what you believe in, culturally and politically? How deep is his hostility toward President Obama? Is this birtherism merely scratching the surface of a deeper hostility. Will Tuberville truly be supportive of you?

This is an excerpt of a story highlighting Tuberville's controversial shot taken at President Obama with far-right talk show extremist Sean Hannity:

Texas Tech football Coach Tommy Tuberville does not subscribe to that theory, which is not to say he isn’t a fan of any conspiracy theory.

Tuberville might need to do his recruiting at Donald Trump rallies after his performance last week on the Fox News show “Great American Panel.” It was there that Tuberville joined in the “birther” chorus, demanding President Obama prove he is an American citizen by showing us his birth certificate.

“As a common American, I just don’t understand why we just go through this,” Tuberville said. “And I think it’s continued to divide the country.”

The show’s host, Sean Hannity, gently tried to steer Tuberville back to the center from whichever precinct of Wingnutville is circled by the most black helicopters.

“By the way, for the record, I think he’s probably born in the United States,” Hannity said of Obama.

The coach was undeterred.

“I don’t know why he wouldn’t just step up and say, ‘Here it is,’ ” Tuberville said. “Obviously, there’s got to be something on there he doesn’t want anybody to see.”

Tuberville has exposed himself as being someone who buys into birther theories and birtherism in general. His message, to people of color, seems to be one of disrespect. As I've stated before, I believe birtherism to be largely rooted in disguised racism.

This is not to say all birthers are racist, however. But, it is to say that birthers hold an irrational anger toward President Obama that is illogical and racially motivated.

Tommy Tuberville seemed mighty comfortable in the presence of Sean Hannity expressing his birtherism and hostility toward our president.

If I were a black student-athlete being recruited by Texas Tech ... the Red Raiders would be scratched from my list. I would rather play for a Division II than play for Tommy Tuberville.