Kevin Sumlin has faced fierce criticism after Texas A&M’s loss to UCLA. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
A disgruntled Aggies fan took things too far when she or he sent Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin racist hate mail.
Sumlin’s wife, Charlene Sumlin, tweeted what Texas A&M called a “disgusting and threatening” letter Thursday, Sept. 7.
“You suck as a coach!” The letter addressed from the Houston Country Club said, “You’re a n—– and can’t win! Please get lost! Or else!”
https://twitter.com/courshel/status/905942396831191040
Moments later, one of Coach Sumlin’s four children, Shelby Sumlin, chimed in echoing her mother’s concerns.
Imagine being a kid & reading this bs abt your dad. Things "fans" say gets taken personal by more than just the coach. Humanity isn't hard. https://t.co/ueLMcycL9e
— Shelby Sumlin (@ShelbySumlin) September 8, 2017
The school became aware of the letter by that evening and issued a response shortly after.
“We unequivocally condemn this disgusting and threatening letter,” Texas A&M president Michael Young and director of athletics Scott Woodward said in a statement. “There is no excuse for hatred and, as a community, we will not allow the ignorance of some to intimidate any member of our community. On behalf of all Aggies, our thoughts are with Coach Sumlin and his family, and we will do all that we can to ensure their safety. We are working with law enforcement authorities to bring the sender of this letter to justice. We stand with the Sumlins and will not accept this inexcusable act of hate.”
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The letter follows the Aggies’ season-opening loss Sunday at UCLA, where the team blew a 34-point, third-quarter lead. Shortly after, Texas A&M regent Tony Buzbee called for Coach Sumlin’s termination on Facebook and Twitter.
https://twitter.com/TonyBuzbee/status/904567483490865152
While ESPN reported Coach Sumlin responded Tuesday by saying he, doesn’t “really have time to get involved in things that are said … about me,” he has remained silent about the letter. However, social media users, including SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, have eagerly slammed the document.
I have great admiration for Kevin Sumlin & fully support statement by Pres. Young & Scott Woodward. Letter sent to Sumlin home is sickening.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) September 8, 2017
Absolutely sickening. Please out the sender and see how fast the line forms to kick his ass. So sad that folks like this even exist.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) September 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/DuraySmith/status/905962630694789120
Meanwhile, journalists Jemele Hill and Roland Martin deemed it a day in the life of an American Black man.
Not trying to minimize it, but I'm guessing in Kevin Sumlin's world, that's called a regular Thursday. https://t.co/J0NpO6gnrm
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 8, 2017
THIS is the reality of being a Black man in America: @CoachSumlin wins, some white folks are happy. He loses, he's the N-word. #%*+ racists! https://t.co/oQJ9IOoQCi
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) September 8, 2017
