Tennessee's Rashaan Gaulden calls out Kirk Herbstreit for conduct double standard
Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden doesn’t care much for Kirk Herbstreit’s support of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield given what the ESPN analyst previously said about Gaulden.
Gaulden extended his middle fingers towards Alabama fans after scoring a touchdown in the Vols’ loss to the Tide on Oct. 21.
The next weekend, Herbstreit said Gaulden should have been kicked off the team for what he did. Here’s what Herbstreit said on “College GameDay” via the Knoxville News Sentinel:
“You’re thinking, ‘With everything that’s been going on at Tennessee, that guy probably will never play again,’” Herbstreit said. “Next series the defense is on the field, No. 7 is back in the lineup playing. And you wonder why Tennessee has issues. They don’t have any discipline.
“(Jones) should have taken his uniform off, sent him upstairs and said, ‘Go get a popcorn. You’re no longer on the football team’ and sent a message to the whole team.”
After Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy Saturday night, Herbstreit sent a tweet saying Mayfield — who grabbed his crotch and yelled expletives at the Kansas bench in November — was simply misunderstood.
My man @baker_mayfield6 is VERY misunderstood! His competitive spirit is special and sure, sometimes has gotten the best of him. But, he is a good man that is driven to be the best. Congrats Baker!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 10, 2017
Here’s what Gaulden had to say in response to that.
Lol bro but I should be kicked off the team and eat popcorn and I don't have a chip on my shoulder and I'm not competitive! Use to have a lot of respect for you!!! https://t.co/69W3IwjNvC
— Rashaan Gaulden (@Gmoney_7era) December 10, 2017
Saying Mayfield is misunderstood is a reasonable opinion that can be easily backed up. But not after establishing a different set of standards for another player who previously committed similar actions. Someone as smart and high-profile as Herbstreit has to be consistent.
There’s no logical way to explain how Gaulden flipping off fans is worthy of being off the team while Mayfield’s competitive spirit has “gotten the best of him” when grabbing himself and shouting expletives at the other team.
Good for Gaulden for pointing that out.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
