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http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...cart_river

Quote:Derek Slaughter sent a message.

The senior UAB linebacker wore his helmet to graduation on Sunday, a way of protesting the school's decision to disband football last December.

(04-25-2015 11:20 AM)blazerjay Wrote:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...cart_river

Quote:Derek Slaughter sent a message.

The senior UAB linebacker wore his helmet to graduation on Sunday, a way of protesting the school's decision to disband football last December.

Bartow exploded with applause.

Surprised Watts spoke and shook hands. I believe that means we need to step it up.

I think the graduation stuff is about right on target. It's awkward as hell for Watts.

disappointed that anybody would shake his hand

(04-25-2015 11:44 AM)LairDweller Wrote:  disappointed that anybody would shake his hand

Some people don't want to rock the boat because graduation is more for their parents than anybody. I wouldn't make a scene with my family in attendance.

(04-25-2015 12:15 PM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(04-25-2015 11:44 AM)LairDweller Wrote:  disappointed that anybody would shake his hand

Some people don't want to rock the boat because graduation is more for their parents than anybody. I wouldn't make a scene with my family in attendance.

Exactly. Shaking hands is just kinda what you do. Although not shaking hands is not much of a scene. From the balcony, it's probably hard to tell.

@KyleParmley: .@UAB_MBB favorite Karl Moton said something to Watts ok the way by. Watts promptly smarted off at him.

I think Moton gets a new degree and walks every year. Hopefully Watts won't be there when Moton gets his 2016 degree.

(04-25-2015 12:15 PM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(04-25-2015 11:44 AM)LairDweller Wrote:  disappointed that anybody would shake his hand

Some people don't want to rock the boat because graduation is more for their parents than anybody. I wouldn't make a scene with my family in attendance.

walking right past him would not make a scene. could hardly tell that Slaughter did it.
if i was graduating, theres zero chance id shake his hand

(04-25-2015 01:07 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  

(04-25-2015 12:15 PM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(04-25-2015 11:44 AM)LairDweller Wrote:  disappointed that anybody would shake his hand

Some people don't want to rock the boat because graduation is more for their parents than anybody. I wouldn't make a scene with my family in attendance.

walking right past him would not make a scene. could hardly tell that Slaughter did it.
if i was graduating, theres zero chance id shake his hand

Depends after four plus years of college not many people think Watts is worth risking that over. I agree not shaking his hand is no big deal, but some may not want to risk it especially with their parents in attendance and so much hard work put into a degree.

What's the risk? That's an odd word to use.

just seems like all of the students big talk from a few months ago has gone away. i guess watts was right (as far as the students go)...it'll all blow over

The degree has been earned. He can't take it away.

(04-25-2015 01:17 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  just seems like all of the students big talk from a few months ago has gone away. i guess watts was right (as far as the students go)...it'll all blow over

Exactly.

Deep down, many of the students just don't care about football. Most of them have a team to follow in the long run, and it isn't UAB. They didn't go to the games. Sure they got caught up in protesting because that was fun to do, to pretend to rebel. After a while though, they will continue to "rebel" on social media, but their heart isn't in it for the long run.

For some reason the video's didn't work for me; it is probably a local PC issue. So I tried to Google them to find them online and what I found was that the incident is being reported on an amazing number of national websites. This thing has gone viral. Almost all note this a protest against Watts for unfairly cutting football. Well done Derek!

Watch the video closely for the reaction. When he raises the helmet, you hear a roar of support in the distance, from the fans in the cheap seats, but the reaction of the nearby students seems to be indifference. Either they are not reacting or they are politely clapping, which is probably for the names being called.

Slaughter was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army yesterday.

From folks that were there, it was relatively quiet until Slaughter walked up, a good ovation during his walk across the stage, then lots of talking well after his walk. I feel bad for the graduates walking after him, but it was the audience's choice to cheer and talk.

(04-25-2015 01:36 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Deep down, many of the students just don't care about football. Most of them have a team to follow in the long run, and it isn't UAB. They didn't go to the games. Sure they got caught up in protesting because that was fun to do, to pretend to rebel. After a while though, they will continue to "rebel" on social media, but their heart isn't in it for the long run.

The students have never had the campus feel that football brings every university in this region.
As young people they tend to gravitate toward the crowds on larger campuses toward the south.
But students did attend the games at Legion field or there were an awful lot of young people of college age hanging around legion field wearing UAB gear during football games.