Grotesque and Incomprehensible

Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Mike Hamilton (or Rob Lewis)? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Fulmer and you curse John Chavis. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Fulmer’s resignation, while timely, will probably destroy the Tennessee Football Program. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, wins ballgames…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at Volquest Tailgate gatherings, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.

We use names and words like Majors, Neyland, Battle, denial…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ‘em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a dipshit who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very tradition I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a helmet and fill the B gap. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!

Who is going to remain vigilant against the Bammers when (not if) they decide to cheat?

Shanks disputes Fulmer’s claim of playing by rules (Gadsden Yellow Journal)

By Mark EdwardsSports editor

Decatur native Philip Shanks couldn’t help but choke and cough a bit as he watched a televised news conference Monday afternoon in which Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer announced he has been fired, effective at the end of the season. Shanks was one of the attorneys who represented former Alabama assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams in a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA filed in 2002. Fulmer became embroiled in the case when documents proved that the Vols coach took time to turn in Alabama for recruiting improprieties in 2000.

One particular statement by Fulmer on Monday infuriated Shanks: “We’ve had some of UT’s greatest teams, we’ve had many of its greatest players, and we’ve done it right by the NCAA’s rules.” “I was appalled by Fulmer’s claim that he has played by the rules. That’s a blatant falsehood,” said Shanks, who has retired from his Memphis law firm.

Shanks said that in 2004, he and Montgomery attorney Tommy Gallion sent to Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton more than 300 pages of documents showing a pattern of cheating by Fulmer.

“He ran the most corrupt football program in the Southeastern Conference,” Shanks said. “We had documents of free automobiles given to players and talented juniors receiving six figures to return for their senior years.

“Moderately talented players were receiving $2,000 a month. And nobody at Tennessee ever responded.” The NCAA handed down sanctions to Alabama’s football program in February 2001 for recruiting violations.

Fulmer and some of his assistant coaches spoke with NCAA investigator Richard Johanningmeier in 2002 about their belief that Tide boosters were buying top recruits.

His interviews were supposed to remain secret but became exposed during a court case involving the NCAA and Crimson Tide booster Logan Young, who died in 2006. Although Alabama has long since served its NCAA penalty, Shanks said he couldn’t allow Fulmer “to go out with some weepy news conference” without commenting on his role in the case.

Shanks said he can’t help but think of the irony that Fulmer won two SEC titles and a national title before becoming involved in the Alabama case and none of either afterward.