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Texas A&M Football

Thoughts on the hate-filled letter sent to Kevin Sumlin

September 8, 2017
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So the Aggies lost a football game on Sunday night and it's been a busy week of writing articles and talking on radio for yours truly since returning from L.A. The first week back on the grind is always tough and it's especially tough when you're trying to break down what happened during a truly inexplicable loss like the one we all saw unfold at the Rose Bowl. Emotions run high and, suddenly, for some reason folks begin to think it's okay for Aggies to attack Aggies all over message boards and on social media. It's rough out there on Aggie Twitter, in The Zoo and even inside the Premium forums. No one is safe and even I knew on the long flight home that there would be plenty of folks coming for their pound of e-flesh for me or anyone else who dared compliment this team or its coaches and players at any point during the six-month off-season. 

Guess what? As far as I'm concerned, that comes with the territory. Doesn't mean I have to like it, but I feel like we at TexAgs have created a pretty nice gig, we receive a lot of positive attention and the community is usually an amazing place to convene to talk Aggie sports. It's comprised of not good but truly great people. All you need to do is look at the rich history of folks on this site helping others in time of need for proof of that. That's also the case when it comes to the Texas A&M fan and alumni base from coast to coast. From the Red, White and Blue Out to the Maroon Wall to this weekend's BTHO Harvey fundraiser and countless smaller acts of group and individual kindness in between, Aggies are always there to lend a helping hand.

Despite that, the fact of the matter is that frustration occasionally gets the best of some of us. It happens. You lost your mind on Sunday night and got banned from TexAgs? Take to Twitter and say that I'm a thin-skinned jerk, more power to you. The Aggies blow a 34-point lead and drop a game to UCLA that they had no business losing? Take to the TexAgs forums, call into the Finebaum Show and criticize Kevin Sumlin on Twitter until you get it all out. As far as I'm concerned, that too comes with the territory. 

For Sumlin and college football coaches from coast to coast, thick skin and the ability to walk through life (especially when it comes to social media) with blinders on is virtually a job requirement. Like many college coaches, Kevin is testy and defensive with the media at times, but he understands that being second-guessed and even ripped for any failures (real or perceived) following losses like Sunday night's incredibly frustrating setback are part of what you sign up for when you put your John Hancock on a $5MM/yr contract.

What you don't sign up for, however, is for your family to be harassed by an angry fan at any point along the way, no matter how bad a game or season goes. And you damned sure don't sign up to be targeted by an card-carrying racist pig. Ever.

On Thursday night, Charlene Sumlin posted a picture of a hate-filled, racially-charged letter — complete with an utterly disgusting slur — that was either mailed or placed in the mailbox of the Sumlin home. My first feeling when I read the note was complete and utter disgust. "Who in their right mind could ever write that, send it and walk away feeling good about themselves?" Then came anger. "What I wouldn't give to be able to literally break the hand that wrote that letter..."

Now? I'm just saddened by it. Truth is, we may never know the monster who put those words — and THAT word — to paper. What I do know, however, is this: Kevin Sumlin is a friend of mine and has been since sometime around 2000, long before he or I ever imagined he'd be the head football coach at Texas A&M. That's also the time I got to know Char and their family, which at the time included their two daughters, Courtney and Shelby, and didn't quite yet include Jackson and Joey. We lit a cigar when he was promoted to offensive coordinator by R.C. Slocum back in 2002 and I spent the afternoon with Kevin and his parents when he was coaching in Norman following 77-0. Since he took over in College Station, it hasn't always been easy ... especially with me covering his team through some tough times of late. We certainly don't always see eye to eye and have had our differences but the friendship will survive his time at A&M whether he's ultimately fired (something I'd cover as extensively and in-depth as I did his hiring in 2012), leaves Aggieland on his own accord or retires in the Maroon & White several years from now.

So last night, a friend and his family had to experience all of the anger, rage, unimaginable frustration, probably even a slight loss of faith in humanity that comes with a racially-motivated attack (and that's exactly what this was) and that makes me sick. And for what? Because he's not winning enough football games for this cowardly racists taste? Because a fan of another school went out of their way to give Texas A&M a very public black eye? To kick a man when he's down? 

Well, even though the thought of Char or Kevin (or God forbid one of their children) opening that letter makes me cringe, I do know this much: The Aggie head coach won't let this outwardly phase him. I spoke to him this evening not to talk about the UCLA loss but simply to let him know how disgusted I was to see that letter and I could hear the disappointment in his voice. Then again, I know that Sumlin will do the same thing that his late father, Bill, did when he dealt with racism every day while growing up and later serving as a high school coach in the segregated South. He'll persevere. He'll also focus on the task at hand, which is figuring out how to get his team to bounce back from a bitterly-disappointing season-opening loss, setting the same example for his players that his father set for him as a young man, which is to not allow hate or prejudice derail your day, your drive or your dream.

That's especially true when the message comes from a single, cowardly and (shocker) anonymous source. Make no mistake, this racist toad in no way represents the Aggie fan as a whole. That's another part of this story that saddens me. Like most of you, I wear my Aggie Ring proudly and I live in this community. Just like the jackass who left a particularly hateful note on then-A&M quarterback Corey Pullig's car 20 years ago following a big-game loss, the author of the Sumlin note does not accurately represent the 12th Man and the spirit of what being an Aggie is about (assuming the culprit actually attended the university). Unfortunately, most who pick up this story won't include that disclaimer and our school takes the hit and the sad thing is there are rival recruiters, both white and black alike mind you, who will attempt to use this story to their advantage without conscience. Don't fault Char Sumlin for letting that note go public and quickly go viral, however, because it's important for us to get the occasional, disturbing reminder that this type of crap hasn't gone away simply because there are more coaches of color today than there were 10, 15 or 20 years ago.

Sumlin likely felt as if he was fighting for his job this week and I'm sure he was. He may well be doing so between now and November, feeling the pressure and riding the wave of each win or loss. That's what he signed up for when he took over in Aggieland and parlayed a white-hot start into a big, SEC-caliber financial windfall. What he didn't think he'd be fighting this week was unabashed racism and I wish I knew who the scumbag was that woke up Monday and thought a football game gave them a license to be a bigoted animal.

Consider this my letter and feel free to include your own on this thread. This doesn't have anything to do with wins or losses and won't have any bearing whatsoever on Sumlin's future in Aggieland. As far as the present is concerned, I'm of the opinion that it would be nice to give the head coach and his family something to smile about today in light of what happened yesterday.

And if you disagree and think language such as the one in that letter is acceptable, please cancel your subscription because you and your money aren't wanted on the site or this community that we've worked so hard to build.

Discussion from...

Thoughts on the hate-filled letter sent to Kevin Sumlin

27,769 Views | 86 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by Texan1976
technoviking
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Good and necessary insight, Billy.

This whole thing sucks.
FriendlyAg
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Completely agree, but we are giving way too much attention to the loser who wrote it. It's such a fringe minority of people that would ever use that word to demean another person that the fact that this has been getting this much attention is giving it credibility that it's an actual real problem with a vast majority of our fan base, which is not the case.

I guess that's a long way to say that you are preaching to the choir and anyone who disagrees with you isn't going to change their mind based on an opinion piece.

Flame away.
Agsuffering@bulaw
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Well Put. I want Sumlin gone, but the racial crap does not represent me either!

To Sumlin & family: 99.9% of us condemn biggotry and lament that you experienced it
johnnyblaze36
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I thought this was an overall nicely written letter but take major exception with this:

"Don't fault Char Sumlin for letting that note go public and quickly go viral, however, because it's important for us to get the occasional, disturbing reminder that this type of crap hasn't gone away simply because there are more coaches of color today than there were 10, 15 or 20 years ago."

I don't think any of us are naive enough to think it will ever go away and there is absolutely nothing good that could come out of posting it on social media, ESPECIALLY when it's from a totally anonymous source at this point.

Hand it to the authorities for investigation but putting it on twitter makes absolutely zero sense and is completely irresponsible.

I 100% fault her for letting it go public because she's the one that well, let it go public. Now we're all curious to know if there are security cameras that help catch the SOB since it's already been proven that the letter did not travel through the mail.

BTHO Nicholls St.
Flashdiaz
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regardless of motive, it was a despicable message. One that the author clearly knows is wrong and why they cowardly chose to remain anonymous.

The author should claim it, so they can feel the 'or else' of thousands of true Aggies.
Clavell
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Well put.

I do not know the motive of the small minded idiot that did this. I hope it was not an Aggie, but someone just wanting to give us a black-eye (another school's fan or upset Spencer follower).

If someone has that much hatred in their heart there would not be enough room for such joyful pastimes as college football so would not consider this a Aggie football story at all. Only a snapshot of the morons that unfortunately still exist in the world.

I hope someone is able to figure out who did this, but understand it may never happen.


With all the attacks, especially this week, against her husband I certainly couldn't fault her for believing it came from an Aggie fan or for striking back by posting.
soso33
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I'm glad she shared the letter. Racism can not survive in the light of day. It doesn't matter who sent it or what their motivation was. And I don't prescribe any other motive to her sharing the letter than letting the sunlight do its disinfecting work and to possibly share a sense of what it's like in the fishbowl.

She has every right to do so. I appreciate her actions.

Craigy
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This letter is a diversion. Bad for the wife to post in on social media. Poor decision on her part. The racists' will take this and run . This is a deflection of really what is going on.
(Removed:11023A)
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IBEW47 said:

I do not care about any letter nor should anyone else - throw it in the trash and get on with life. What I care about is the worst 2nd half coaching I have ever seen and I am an old man.


I agree with you! I guess they don't teach "sticks and stones.....any more
NightHawk150
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I swear. Some of y'all need to get bent.

There are things more important in this world than a damn freaking sport.

I'm disgusted that you all want Curry fired, but want to say this a diversion because of your dislike for this man. Racism, regardless of who it comes from and who it is directed at, is wrong... no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you want one sort condemned, then you should want all sorts condemned.

Grow up. Who ever wrote this letter is wrong, and you know it. Put your personal feelings aside about football for a second and see that man and his family got harassed be some anonymous a-hole.

I'm angry about this first game too. That's no reason to throw accusations, without any merit, that this was staged by the Sumlin family. You want so hard to believe that it was not an Aggie that wrote this (as do I!), but are quick to throw this on the Sumlins. Again, innocent until proven guilty, on both sides!

Good job Billy. Thanks for standing up for what is right. I'm sick and tired of all the hate in this world right now, and we need to do what we can to fight it.

To the Sumlins, I'm sorry you received this letter. Regardless of football, we welcome you into our community. You're daughter is an Ag now, so the bond is even greater. Once an Ag, always an Ag. My only hope is that you know that majority of Ags feel this is despicable, and in no way, shape, or form condone this language or beahavior.

May God have mercy on our souls for the continued division and hatred amongs ourselves...
Clavell
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RGLAG85
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Billy
Billy
Billy!
J-Licious
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I completely agree it was a wrong decision to post it. However, I would also point out that I bet when she received the letter she was probably not in the best state of mind and we need to appreciate the circumstances that lead to her decision.
FishingAggie
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Letter shouldn't have been written.

Author should be disassociated with our university (if they are associated w/TAMU).

Letter should not have been put on social media for the same children to see that everyone should be protecting.

Many children saw this now bad idea

Two bad things don't make one right.
oRLY
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Howdy Ags, Class of 78 here; and am damn well pissed I have to experience this behavior towards a member of the Aggie family. You might believe you "hurt" because of the final outcome of the ruins game -- I say, grow a pair and man up... Coach Sumlin and this group of fine young men represent my school, my alma mata, and have never given me a reason to not support them... They are AGGIES and we support every AGGIE each and every day....

I am more concerned how this team stands up after falling down; that is the true test of character.... When they leave our fine school, I want to know we have developed individuals with strong character capable of serving their communities honorably. Coaches come, coaches go, but you only become a member of the Aggie family once.. Once an Ag, always an Ag...

Sumlin has my support, he has earned it.
tfarmer14
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I'll be the first to admit that I get disappointed, frustrated, and angry with Aggie Football. There have been countless games I've left or finished watching and I'm asking How? Why? What?... No matter how bad it gets, I stick to my morals and I stick to the traits that make an Aggie an Aggie! The individual who wrote that letter and verbally attacked Sumlin at his home, is no Aggie to me. When I look at my Aggie Ring, I remember the values Texas A&M instilled into me: emotional poise, integrity of character, a desire for peace, etc...

I'm not attempting to get on a "high and mighty" rant, but just offering a reminder for all of us Aggies out there. In the last few weeks hopefully we've all noticed just how bad things could be. Thousands of families were affected by Hurricane Harvey, losing their homes, personal possessions, and for an unfortunate number the loss of family. A football loss, though an arguably bad loss, is far less worse than what numerous families are going through right now!

Thanks and Gig Em'
sbs
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Billy,

Well said.

Of course I am extremely disappointed with the loss, but there are a lot more important things in life than a damn football game.

One thing I have always prided myself about being an Aggie is that we don't bash each other. I am afraid that we are starting to be like tu.
Aggie Joe 93
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Not only is it OK that Charlene posted the letter, but it's important that she did. The idiot coward author would otherwise feel he 'got away with it'. Assuming the dumbass is never found, the public condemnation is the only chance he/she could possibly see how pitifully asinine that letter was.

Assuming that inane trash is incable of basic thought, and learns nothing; this gives Aggies the opportunity to attempt to comfort the Sumlins. It gives us the ability to vilify (and I do) the writing of that letter. Whether you want Sumlin to remain coach or not; this is a simple situation.

I would like to see some sort of moral recognition and support for Sumlin happen on Sat or at Midnight Yell. Regardless of football events or employment decisions; the Sumlin family deserves support against racism. Wouldn't have to mention the letter. Just a simple moment of support would be awesome and healing.
ghowe
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I am truly sorry the Sumin's experienced this. I don't have any personal experience to compare it to so I don't know how they feel, but I am sure it was a bad experience. I think Billy is sincere in his emotions, but I think he makes a mistake by conflating a couple of things here that are not related. This letter is one of two things. Either the unhinged rantings of a troubled and crazy person Or, which I believe, a poor attempt at a satirical message as chiefly evidenced by the return address, intended to stir up controversy to reflect poorly on Aggies. This simply cannot be taken seriously, aside from it's an ugly thing to do. It's a mistake to use it to cast some broader indictment of anyone or any group other than those who sent it.

I wish the Sumlin's well.
kblake
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Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
RangerRick9211
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kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.
aggiebrad94
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Quote:

Not only is it OK that Charlene posted the letter, but it's important that she did.
No! No! No! She gave the idiot EXACTLY what she / he wanted - attention. If she had thrown it away, the person would have never known if anyone had seen it. MORE IMPORTANTLY, they wouldn't have had the satisfaction of knowing it made an impact.

Sometimes you have to ignore. Sometimes you have to look away.

Billy - You - in the same way - gave this idiot importance. Your reaction is what gives legs to these stories and allows this letter to live and grow.
HoustonAggie37713
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NightHawk150 said:

I swear. Some of y'all need to get bent.

There are things more important in this world than a damn freaking sport.

I'm disgusted that you all want Curry fired, but want to say this a diversion because of your dislike for this man. Racism, regardless of who it comes from and who it is directed at, is wrong... no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you want one sort condemned, then you should want all sorts condemned.

Grow up. Who ever wrote this letter is wrong, and you know it. Put your personal feelings aside about football for a second and see that man and his family got harassed be some anonymous a-hole.

I'm angry about this first game too. That's no reason to throw accusations, without any merit, that this was staged by the Sumlin family. You want so hard to believe that it was not an Aggie that wrote this (as do I!), but are quick to throw this on the Sumlins. Again, innocent until proven guilty, on both sides!

Good job Billy. Thanks for standing up for what is right. I'm sick and tired of all the hate in this world right now, and we need to do what we can to fight it.

To the Sumlins, I'm sorry you received this letter. Regardless of football, we welcome you into our community. You're daughter is an Ag now, so the bond is even greater. Once an Ag, always an Ag. My only hope is that you know that majority of Ags feel this is despicable, and in no way, shape, or form condone this language or beahavior.

May God have mercy on our souls for the continued division and hatred amongs ourselves...
You do know that many of these "racist" acts have proven to be created by people trying to get a reaction, right?

For a clear example, look at the women claiming "men in Trump t-shirts attacked them after the election because they were muslim.

We have no idea who wrote the letter.
HoustonAggie37713
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RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.
Meh, she wanted attention, its obvious.
T264
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I completely condemn racism of ALL kinds form any race. This no more represents all Aggies than a Al Sharpton represents all blacks. Whoever wrote it is despicable for sure.
Do any of you know if Sumlin hears that word every day in his own locker room? It just seems to be getting way overblown.
kblake
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RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.


So you're okay with the damage inflicted on the reputation of the entire A&M family because of the idiocy of one person who may not even be affiliated with said family.

Seems logical to me. You win.
Deputy Travis Junior
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EDIT: I is not a good reader


Nice letter, Billy. The person who wrote this is a racist pig.
RangerRick9211
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HoustonAggie37713 said:

RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.
Meh, she wanted attention, its obvious.
Her first post since February. She definitely craves that social media attention.

Or maybe, she understands that sweeping it under a rug emboldens that person, and others like them, to continue espousing racism.
libertyag
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Aggie Joe 93 said:

Not only is it OK that Charlene posted the letter, but it's important that she did. The idiot coward author would otherwise feel he 'got away with it'. Assuming the dumbass is never found, the public condemnation is the only chance he/she could possibly see how pitifully asinine that letter was.

Assuming that inane trash is incable of basic thought, and learns nothing; this gives Aggies the opportunity to attempt to comfort the Sumlins. It gives us the ability to vilify (and I do) the writing of that letter. Whether you want Sumlin to remain coach or not; this is a simple situation.

I would like to see some sort of moral recognition and support for Sumlin happen on Sat or at Midnight Yell. Regardless of football events or employment decisions; the Sumlin family deserves support against racism. Wouldn't have to mention the letter. Just a simple moment of support would be awesome and healing.
I doubt the sender of the letter cares what others think about him or her. Was terrible it was written, terrible it was sent, and terrible she posted the letter.

Might make other schools think twice about hiring a minority coach if something like this would give them pause to not take action when otherwise they would.

But you have to separate this letter and the uproar from the job he is doing. He still needs to go.
RangerRick9211
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kblake said:

RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.


So you're okay with the damage inflicted on the reputation of the entire A&M family because of the idiocy of one person who may not even be affiliated with said family.

Seems logical to me. You win.
Post the quote where she contributes it to A&M or our fans. You can fault the media, but not her.
kblake
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RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

RangerRick9211 said:

kblake said:

Wife sharing the letter on social media was horribly irresponsible. I can't emphasize this enough.
Proud of her for sharing it. Can't emphasize that enough.


So you're okay with the damage inflicted on the reputation of the entire A&M family because of the idiocy of one person who may not even be affiliated with said family.

Seems logical to me. You win.
Post the quote where she contributes it to A&M or our fans. You can fault the media, but not her.
.

She does not. But I doubt she is so naive to think that she could post on the heels of Sunday's meltdown without social media connecting the two. Give me a break!
Ribby P
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NightHawk150
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Deputy Travis Junior said:

Quote:

I'm disgusted that you all want Curry fired, but want to say this a diversion because of your dislike for this man. Racism, regardless of who it comes from and who it is directed at, is wrong
I love when completely contradictory thoughts are separated by less than a full sentence.

Nice letter, Billy. The person who wrote this is a racist pig.


Please show me where I'm being contradictory?!

I don't know, maybe we're being like ships passing in the night. I'm saying if you condemn one type of racism, you condemn it all. You cannot pick and choose.

I think Curry should be fired, because no sort of racism should be tolerated.
SARATOGA
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