After the outrage and outcry that occurred when Heisman’s first article about Bruce Pearl was sent to some Tennessee Volunteers’ web sites, and subsequently, posted on UT message boards, he felt the need to write a rebuttal to all of those upset by his original post and to clarify where his allegiances lie because being called a Kentucky fan is quite the blasphemous statement.

I am no stranger to criticism, nor does criticism have much of a meaningful effect on the attitudes and opinions I present on this blog. However, I feel it is appropriate to respond to those who took offense (as happened here, here, here, and here) to my initial post on coach Bruce Pearl (Bruce Pearl: Savior or Destroyer?) found here on The Blue Workhorse.

Several readers must have not taken the time to read the post, or they may be so blinded by orange they could not read the post. Therefore, in this rebuttal, it is my intention to explain why I wrote the initial piece and clear up any misunderstandings on my position as a University of Tennessee fan. I neither regret what I wrote, nor has my position on the situation changed.

First, and most importantly, I am not a University of Kentucky fan. Never have been, and I never will be. All of those who thought I was a bitter UK fan jealous of Bruce Pearl should know that I am truly a Tennessee fan. In fact, my first term paper in 8th grade was a ten page epic covering the fall of Tennessee football under Coach Battle and the eventual rise to the national championship game in 1998.

As a Tennessee fan, I am embarrassed at times of my fellow members of the “Big Orange Nation.” I understand that fan is short for fanatical, but I sometimes wonder how many Volunteer faithful are capable of developing a rational thought. Don’t get me wrong. I am very grateful for what Coach Pearl has done for the Basketball Vols. His energy and enthusiasm are unmatched across the country. It just bothers me when people are so quick to jump to conclusions about a coach that has had the instant success like Coach Pearl, or on the other end of the spectrum when a coach does not have immediate success (sometimes through no fault of his own).

Finally, some have found fault in my ability to provide unbiased opinion, and yet others have said I am simply trying to smear Coach Pearl. Neither was my intention. Of course, my opinion of Coach Pearl is not without bias. I am not of the professional journalist ranks. I never even took a journalism class in college. I am nothing more than a former college athlete (I use that term loosely) who is very opinionated and enjoys hearing other opinions matched up against my own.

On the other hand, I am not trying to smear Coach Pearl. Every point I presented came from a quote or instance I had read about. After gathering this information, I began to form my own opinion of Pearl. The same thing that everyone does day in, day out with each person they meet. People constantly gather information, process the info, and form opinions on everything everyday.

Over time that opinion can change, just as mine may over Coach Pearl’s tenure at the University of Tennessee. A small change can even be seen in my second post concerning Coach Pearl on The Blue Workhorse (Tipping the Cap to Bruce Pearl).

You may not agree with every point I made in my post criticizing Pearl or any of my other articles I’ve written or will write in the future, but please remember that I am a biased unprofessional blogger who is offended to be associated in any way with the University of Kentucky.

 Heisman

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