Related documents
GVX audio
- Dave Hooker and Mike Strange interview Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page
- Dave Hooker and Mike Strange interview Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page
- Dave Hooker interviews Tennessee running back Arian Foster on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page
- Dave Hooker interviews Georgia coach Mark Richt about preseason expectations, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow
- Dave Hooker interviews Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi about media days and quarterback Matthew Stafford
- **Editor's Note - All UT interviews were performed before news broke of a subpoena that was reportedly served to coach Phillip Fulmer**
HOOVER, Ala. - A media event became a media circus Thursday morning.
Granted, there's a fine line between the two. But you only had to observe the Tennessee and Alabama media scurrying around the Wynfrey Hotel mid-morning to know the line had been crossed.
My introduction to the media frenzy began as I exited Georgia coach Mark Richt's interview session. Another sportswriter informed me that Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer had been subpoenaed.
Fulmer subpoenaed at SEC football media days? Isn't that story a bit stale?
In 2004, Fulmer was threatened with a subpoena in regard to his testimony to NCAA investigators about Alabama's creative football recruiting. Heeding the advice of his attorney, Fulmer didn't attend the SEC football media days and was fined $10,000 by the conference office.
He got off easy compared to Alabama, which was hit with a five-year NCAA probation sentence, including a two-year bowl ban.
Alabama's probation sentence has ended. But the legal process seemingly grinds on forever, as evidenced by the latest suit spawned by Alabama collision with the NCAA.
This one is brought to you compliments of Blankenship, Harrelson & Wollitz - a Birmingham law firm dedicated to restoring the reputation and financial well being of used-car dealer Wendell Smith.
Oops. Sorry about the used-car reference, guys. Chris Linton, a clerk with the law firm representing Smith, said their client actually was a wholesale dealer of imported cars.
In NCAA circles, Smith was better known as "a rogue booster," a characterization that stems, in part, from Fulmer's NCAA testimony, according to Smith's attorneys. That seemingly explains their motive for subpoenaing Fulmer "to find out what he knows" in hopes of beating the NCAA in court.
After hearing from both sides by early afternoon, I struggled to decide which made less sense: the law firm's explanation for how and when it served the subpoena or Fulmer's response to questions about the subpoena.
Paraphrasing Fulmer's take: "Subpoena? What subpoena?"
While Fulmer denied any knowledge of the subpoena during the interview sessions, Smith's attorneys described the process in such exquisite detail, I felt as though I were watching it in slow motion.
Fulmer arrived at the Wynfrey Hotel. His car door opened. Attorney Greg Case (an attorney named Case: How good is that?) dropped the subpoena in Fulmer's lap as he extended his legs from the car. As Case walked away, Fulmer picked up the subpoena.
Later in the day, Fulmer acknowledged in a press release that he received a subpoena. He just didn't know what it was at the time. When he exited the car, a stranger threw a piece of paper at him. He picked it up, handed it to UT publicist Bud Ford without looking at it and went on with his day.
Subpoena? What subpoena?
You can't blame Fulmer for trying to avoid the issue at media days. But if he had handled it differently, his credibility wouldn't be in question.
You can blame the attorneys.
Never mind their denials. Their timing couldn't have been more obvious if they had announced it on the hotel marquee.
Linton said his firm had hoped to subpoena Fulmer without any media scrutiny the night before. Its representatives showed up at the hotel and waited outside Shula's Steakhouse in case Fulmer showed up for dinner, he said.
"We were just hoping basically and thinking, 'Shula's is pretty popular with the coaches; if he comes and stays at the hotel, there's a real good chance he will go down (to the restaurant),' " Linton said.
It wouldn't have taken much research to determine that coaches and players often don't stay overnight at media days. Or you could have called the UT Sports Information Office, identified yourself as a Vol fan, and asked when the representatives of your beloved team would arrive in Birmingham. The itinerary wasn't exactly top-secret.
Of course, then you wouldn't have gotten all the media attention.
The media got used. So did the SEC.
But there wasn't much they could do about it.
"Several years ago, we thought it might happen," said Charles Bloom, the SEC's associate commissioner for media. "We were trying to plan on how to deal with it.
"What we came away with is it's a free country, and the judicial process has its points. We couldn't do anything to stop it if it's in a public place."
However, winning the day in the media is nothing like winning in court. My advice to Smith and his dream team: Don't spend the NCAA's money just yet.
The NCAA's investigation of Alabama has fostered three other lawsuits. And not one of the plaintiffs has cashed an NCAA check.
Chasing ambulances is more promising. So is selling cars.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 67
volwalk writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Thanks Foolmer
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
At least Foolmore talked to the media for the first time since the end of spring practice. Too bad all he is getting now is negative perception, fair or not.
arkyvol writes:
i absolutely agree with phil on this. its total b.s. (and i'm a lawyer).
the s.e.c. fined him $10,000 a few years ago when he took a pass rather than submit himself and the league to this kind of non-sense. in fairness, they ought to refund every dime. furthermore, if they can't restrain themselves in bama, the s.e.c. ought to consider moving the event to a civilized venue like nashville or atlanta.
eefor10c writes:
Adams, you jerk!!!!!!!!!! You say, in speaking of Coach Fulmer, "His credibility wouldn't have been questioned.." Don't you wish you had some credibility to be questioned? You are the sweetheart of Working and his kind. Please stay in Alabama.
utchris writes:
Ok, I have not been a fan of some of Adams articles, but I find no fault to this.
It cant be to long before Bama faces the death penalty with Saban around.
wagee12 writes:
The legal system in Alabama deserves a pat on the back for this one. Inspector Clouseau foolmurr must appear in court and answer questions just like he should have been made to do after his obession with bammer cost us dearly in recruiting for at least two years.
Thanks again John Adams for shining the truth on the foolmurr mafia in Knoxville. The entire state owes you a real debt of gratitude.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
hey Arkyvol, good call, I agree that Foolmer shouldnt have to follow league rules.
Michael1204 writes:
I thought this was a good article, then I realized John Adams wrote it.
BIGEJ writes:
These “spit nits” denoted as sports writing is the inane ploy of the noted prized “reporter” to disseminate, for profit, to the limited public; One only need to read title and it’s author.
Nothing more needs to be said;
I am saddened the Scripps stock price dropped 7.5% to $8.51 and the stock did not benefit these scribed maunderings of the “prized” one.
Oh, well, maybe, one of “non-embellished” can report something with merit for the fans.
Go….Vols.
rootin4volz writes:
Adams found himself right smack in the middle of a circus...which is exactly where a clown like John Adams belongs.
utchris writes:
When the Alabama football team comes to town next, the KPD should pull over the Alabama bus after an "anonymous" tip led them to believe that Bama players are in possession of illegal substances (remember they like the crack). When Saban calls bs and objects, he should be taken in to custody for disorderly conduct (after all there is a precedent in knoxville for being arrested for yelling and waiving ones arms). He can be put in a special cell with other men who like excessive hair gel.
wolfevol88 writes:
Bottom line is we are dealin with total bammer, white trash scum. Their state is miserable(drive through it), they are miserable, and they've only got 1 NC in the last 20 years compared to the 50 they say they won with bear and before. Trash will always be trash. On the third Sat. in October......Let's take out the trash!
FWBVol writes:
Again, I see no problem with Phillip Fulmer's explanation. His credibility shouldn't be questioned based on the statements of someone that's a member of the perhaps the most hated and least trusted profession in America (sorry arkyvol).
If Phillip Fulmer is telling the truth as I believe he is, what other way could he have handled it? If he honestly didn't know what he had been given he has no other explanation, but that's not good enough for some people.
The whole sham is a rogue Alabama booster and his team of attorneys were able to steal UT's thunder on media day. Instead of talking about the team and outlook on the season most of the stuff about UT today has been about this incident. It's a crying shame some cheater has been able to pull this stunt off.
LargeOrange writes:
I have to say, someone else must have written this for John Adams. This article actually seemed to have some energy, some attempts at humor even. Whoever the ghost writer was even made a couple of attempts to blame the lawyers and the "used car" salesman rather than dogging CPF and blaming him for everything. I call them like I see them and this is the first half-way interesting thing JA has written since coming off of his probation, er I mean long vacation. Keep this intern writing your stuff John, and you have a shot of moving from 2nd place Sports Writer in Tennessee to number one next year!
utchris writes:
Chris Low wrote for ESPN that Fulmer was to blame for this...like he was supposed to see it coming eh?
Bigger_Al writes:
Adams inhales briskly. He is a pawn used by the Alabama media, though he just thinks he is being paid for his good work.
VolPowers writes:
Aren't subpoenas supposed to be served by an officer of the law who first identifies him or herself with identification, and then isn't the receiver supposed to sign acknowledging receipt of the subpoena???? Apparently not in Alabama, yet again proof of it's standing in the evolution pecking order. Throwing it in someone's lap is not appropriate legal conduct, and why those like Adams and Low have not used their media status to question that only further cements their ineptness.
Bigger_Al writes:
Here are two good articles by Tennessee papers that aren't heavily invested in UT's demise:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.d...
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20...
UTvols12342000 writes:
big al
thanks for those links.
the difference between a writer and his product that is not heavily invested in UT's demise as opposed to the opposite is so apparent.
gavol writes:
Mr. Adams. It seems you are saying that Phil is lying. You admit that you were not at the location where the event took place. What evidence do you have to show that Fulmer did not know what the paper was immediately after he got it. Your arrogance is your only evidence. Mr. Adams you yourself have no credibility. Many Vol Fans have over and over expressed that you leave the paper and the state because of your disdain for this program. Please apply for a job in Alabama; there you can continue to make your accusations without every witnessing the events for which you know what happened. Mr. Adams credible? PLEASE!
gavol writes:
"But you only had to observe the Tennessee and Alabama media scurrying around the Wynfrey Hotel mid-morning to know the line had been crossed."
Mr. Adams. It's amazing that you can make such a conclusion just because a bunch of hack reporters such as yourself are scurrying around. Where is your journalistic integrity? I know you didn't loose it in Alabama, because its been missing a long time.
richvol writes:
Has there ever been, in any city, a more disliked and less respected sports editor than Adams?
The answer is obvious to everyone but him and the KNS.
mikes70gto writes:
Well DC,I see that you finally agree that Adams is a jerk-off writer too.
p.s. Try telling that to the Bama boys at the next Adams "gator bbq cook-off"
BigMix writes:
The worm wasn't at the locatoin because he is avoiding Coach Fulmer at all cost.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Let me get this straight: A coward throws a piece of paper/envelope at the coach who picks it up and give it to the man behind him. Tuscaloosa John then takes him to task for not stopping what he was doing to immediately read it. In today's world, it could have been anything on it or in the envelope!
I'm confident that had the coach let the paper fall to the ground, tuscaloosa john and his mindless minions, the adamites, would complain that he was littering!
VOLnAla writes:
First problem is that you have over 800 media credential's present at this event. SAD. It is a freaking circus of Bammeridiots in a run down phooey hole of a mall that happens to have a hotel attached to it. This is the most embarrassing event to take place in Alabamer every year.
bigorange98#214217 writes:
This is bad lawyering by some ... well, Smith's lawyer's website speaks for itself -- they take PayPal.
More info on these guys at: http://gate21.net
(including a link to their "contact us" page)
mikes70gto writes:
DC,I was agreeing with your 3:37 post;these media idiots and bama freaks just wont let it go.Why would they need CPF to testify on Smith's behalf?? Could it be that the law firm is not capable of defending him?? Notice DC, the trend of Adams not a DAMN thing but GARBAGE to write about.Thank God for Hooker and Strange ? !
Moaninglikeheck writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
orangeinbama writes:
Here is a copy of the subpoena at this idiots website.....
http://www.finebaum.com/blog/
Actual subpeona
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2008/07/F...
There are several Bummer fans I work with while they had a good laugh and I got some ribbing about it, they for the most part seem to just want the whole mess just to go away....
kevinlimbo#326134 writes:
A law firm with a pay pal account. Do they offer divorces on Ebay, as well?
hcjournals#206623 writes:
What some people may not realize is that while we, the Vol faithful are less than enthused with the breach of journalistic ethics set forth by John
Adams, he is basking in all the attention it has garnered. He is loving it. When he is contacted by other sports writers from around the country, he has a good laugh and probably tells them that he is stirring up the rednecks and selling papers while he is doing it. Believe me, at this point he thinks he is the king of the hill. It's too easy to see that there is no accident that he is the one writing the column this morning. The tragic irony is that the brass at Scripps Howard won't touch this, because if they tried to make this right in whatever manner would be appropriate, they would be "caving in" to the masses. Well, if you don't see the dagger in this morning's article, you don't get it. Was it even necessary to write it and somehow make Coach Fulmer look bad? I don't think so. there are hard working people at Scripps Howard. There are people to think they are bigger and better than the people they serve. One of these premises is at work here. If you think we are just a bunch of fools, you are wrong. You work for us. Remember that. We certainly will....Either repent and admit you are human, or get out of Dodge......Your choice.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Anyone remember UCLA?
Or has the date been changed again due to legal obligations........
Chartervol writes:
Just got back from the gulf. Folks, everything south of Ardmore is still simmering. It's right edgy down there.
Everybody else wants to win football games and have a good time. Bammers want revenge on the world.
joboo64#211992 writes:
Adams is the scourge of society. He talks about CPF getting off easy as to Alabama's probation. How do you compare the two. Let's see: CFP didn't go to media days. Alabama lied, cheated, paid players and for years in Memphis bought players. What a cheap shot to compare the two.
Next: Adams again wants to bring CPF's credibility in to question for a bouched job of serving a subpoena. Adams is the one who's credibility is in question because he will take a grooup of "red neck" lawyers who want to gain status amoung the Alabama fans by serving CPF and add credibility to them when they should be disbarred for such a trivial suit. God forbid that a used car dealer's character should be in question.
Adams sure must hate CPF to stoop to such an all time low. Maybe he is just one step above a used car salesman.
knoxtenor writes:
What? Didn't Mr. Case, esq. say anything to Fulmer? Just dropped a piece of paper in his lap? I wonder how many times Fulmer's received something like that, opened it up, and a barely legible scribble says, "Go to He||, Fulmer! Signed, [Insert SEC rival name here] fan."
Besides, Mr. Case had such an excellent opportunity! He could've said, "Deeeeeeeamn, Boy! You just got served!"
Bigger_Al writes:
joboo64 - I agree wholeheartedly on the ridiculous comparison by Adams. Obviously, Adams credibility rests on the demise of UT's coach.
rllipscomb#212376 writes:
I think we are all looking at this wrong.
I don't see how Alabama or its fans benefit from these events at all. Remember Alabama jettisoned this booster a long time ago because he had caused them a lot of trouble.
My guess is that this guy is as upset with Alabama as he is with the NCAA. I am not sure that he is all that upset with Fulmer, but as a disgruntled fan, there certainly is no love lost.
Personally, I hope Fulmer is deposed. And I hope Spurrier is also because he was probably the first one to turn them in - according to Spurrier. I means all the deposition will do is highlight Bama's infractions. All Fulmer and Spurrier did was follow the rules which require them to report suspected infractions.
But here is one last thing that I need help from you guys.
Didn't SABAN also report Bama at the time? That is at least my recollection. If it is true, well wouldn't that be fine kettle of fish?
VOLnAla writes:
I would move SEC media days to Columbus Ohio. Go Big Orange!
hcjournals#206623 writes:
I just looked the website for the bozo law firm that did this. Men's Wearhouse should be ashamed for not fitting these fine lawyers better. They look like they just graduated from the YMCA Law School, and they are trying to make a name for themselves. Speaking of that......Who is this Wendall character and how many cars does he think he is going to sell in Chattanooga after this? Deposing coach Fulmer will not win a case for them, and doing it during Media Days is bush league, ambulance chasing drivel.......
mikes70gto writes:
Hey ADAMS here is you a real story to write about,since you are such a bama,gator,suck up !!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/37...
VolFanInAtl writes:
"All I can say is we beat their butts most of the time on the field. We beat their butts in the courtroom and if we have to, we’ll beat their butts again" - I like that... go get'em Phil!
Phil has said butt, BS and phooey all out loud in the past 24 hours. He's going to get his mouth washed out with soap when he gets home.
utchris writes:
I was looking at the subpoena a minute ago.....I know that there have been one or two posters mentioning that they were lawyers on here. My question is can they list the Mall address as Fulmer's? I know that the law can be strict on its documents, so is this something that can have it thrown out?
Volchaz writes:
You call what Bama did in 04, creative? I guess you could call cheating, creative. I call it cheating. I guess JA is selective with his choice of words, to make sure he still gets asked to appear on Finebaum, etc. Terrible column.....
wagee12 writes:
Keep up the good work Mr. Adams, keep shining the light of day on the adventures of Flummo and his UT insiders.
BTW, the supeona was legal and the service was legal. Check the law!
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Guys chill out...the teams of Georgia and Florida dominated the conference mostly. The Vols were played down...just the way we want it. Forida and the Bulldogs now carry a bullseye. Now if we can just win the opener on Labor day, It will perk up the Volunteers mentally, I still think the Vols were in a funk when they lost to Gators last year..Why?...the game at Cal last year took the wind out of our sails..thus we were easy pickings for Meyer and his team.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Comments; Skinny talk at the conference meeting in Hoover was mostly about how good Gators and Bulldogs are...The Vols were hit with that old bugaboo...the defense against the run. Some think and openly say the Tennessee defense is and has been for years their weakest link. I hope we have improved. But overall, the Vols are not considered generally as a factor in the SEC race.....This is what they say.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Norm Chow the new Ucla Offensive head man has recently been swamped by outstanding high school QBs around the nation to sign on with Bruins. Aware that Chow has coached several Heisman trophy winners who have won National championships, the high schoolers want to be noticed early. (From L.A. Times)
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