Don't Bring "SoonerWear" to Mike Gundy's House; or, The Perils of Getting Dressed in the Dark

To the fans of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the personality of Mike Gundy has always been duplicitous.  At times he projects himself as reasonable and cool headed; a strong, even-keeled ambassador of OSU football.  Other times the temper is Sonny Corleone--quick to give this unjust world savage garbage-can-lid beatings with his tongue.  Jenny Carlson knows this, and now, allegedly of course, so does the Stillwater tradesman.  Wear an OU shirt to Mike's house, you will be shitcanned. (allegedly)

Now, for those who have not heard the story, let Yachoff fill you in:

(Or here is the Tulsa World) (Here is a PDF file of Mr. Loveland's Lawsuit)

A Mr. Brent Loveland of Choctaw, OK, trim carpenter, is filling litigation on Gundy for a little over $10,000 for allegedly firing him for showing up to work on Gundy's house in a gray t-shirt that promoted the University of Oklahoma baseball team.  Mr. Loveland alleges that Gundy let loose a string of profanities, called him a "stupid idiot" for wearing the shirt on "OSU soil", and accused him of offending his wife, Kristen.  Mr. Loveland claims that he lost out on $30,000 worth of income that he turned down in order to work for Gundy.  Gundy's contract would have paid Loveland $80,600, but the carpenter chose to pull these shenanigans on his first day.  Mr. Loveland also claims that he was unaware of the shirt until it was too late because he "got dressed in the dark".

(After the Jump, an analysis of Loveland's suit and 'GUNDYGATE' HEADLINES that will never see the light of day...)

This is Mr. Loveland's time to shine.  This is his four and 3/4 minutes of fame.  This is the best boomer advertising venture since Billy Sims hired someone to light a BBQ grill and Mr. Loveland is at the precipice.  Win or lose in the courtroom, there will now be a 45-mile long line of congratulatory Sooners lining up to have this guy put custom cabinetry into their trailers.  This article is even a kind of advertising for Mr. Loveland, unfortunately.  Apparently however, this man's work was once thought of by someone in the Gundy household as good enough to go into their multi-million dollar home.  

Mr. Loveland even saw fit to hire an "OSU guy" attorney by the name of Edward White so it doesn’t look like some total 'Bedlam shim sham' to the media or in front of a judge.   Any "OSU guy" lawyer who would take this case isn’t a real Cowboy fan.  Can you, dear reader, imagine yourself facilitating a lawsuit toward the head coach of the team you supposedly root for, then raising your head in public at your home stadium ever again?  White is also only along for the sweet, sweet publicity dollars that this news item will generate.

Let’s also discuss this chestnut: Mr. Loveland admittedly gets dressed in the dark.  He lives out the insult that you give to someone who dresses badly, sloppily, and for a price he doesn’t care if the world knows it.  It seems Brent Loveland's price on dignity is $10 grand.  Sounds about right for a Gooner.

But we all surmise that Mr. Loveland knew what he was doing.  He doesn’t have dome lights in his auto? On the drive to work he didn’t notice the big "Oklahoma" emblazoned across his chest in dark crimson?  The one hour and fifteen minute drive to Gundy's house as stated in the lawsuit didn't give Mr. Loveland ample time to notice his poor choice of attire?  That he at no time that morning realized his mistake and the disrespect it would show to his employers doesn't hold much water.

Loveland wanted to make a statement.  He wanted to make some waves for his football team.  He wanted to wave the 82-16 Bedlam record in the faces of the two people who would care the most because they get paid the most to care.  He maybe even knew that this insult would cost him his contract, but he acted on his urge anyway.  By putting the shirt on Loveland was, consciously or not, insulting his boss and even the worst employee knows insulting the boss is unwise at best and can result in termination.  Loveland was reckless and should have known better.  His lawsuit will prove to be without merit.  Coach Gundy himself has deferred all comments on the matter at the advice of his attorney.

Here are some related, themed HEADLINES that may will never appear in a paper near you:

The Hollywood:

OFFENDED GUNDY TO SOONER: YOU’LL NEVER INSTALL CROWN MOLDING IN STILLWATER, AGAIN!

The "Hipster Fail":

MIKE, KRISTEN GUNDY UNABLE TO SEE HUMOR IN PRO-OSU CONTRACTOR WEARING OU BASEBALL SHIRT IRONICALLY

The "Prudent, But Wordy To The Extreme That One Word Had To Be Invented":

WEARING OU CLOTHES AT OSU COACHES HOUSE WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE PAYING YOU A CONTRACT WORTH A POTENTIAL $80,000: FUCKING RIDICUSTUPID OR JUST MORONIC?

The Vaguely Libelous:

STOOPS HIRED CASTIGLIONE GOON TO STRANGLE MAILMAN WHO VAGUELY RESEMBLED MAJOR APPLEWHITE TO DEATH

The Ruby Ridge:

GUNDY’S HOUSE REMAINS SOONER-FREE BASTION, ALTHOUGH CALE NOT ORDERED SHOT ON SIGHT ANYMORE

The "Dust Off Your Dictionary If You Even Own One, Land Squat":

OU SHIRT SO UBIQUITOUS TO TRADESMEN, GUNDY CONTRACTOR OBLIVIOUS TO OCCUPATIONAL FAUX PAS

The National Enquirer:

COACH GUNDY VOWS JIHAD ON SOONER NATION TO VENGE SPURNED WIFE, NERVOUS CALE CALLED IN TO TALK MIKE DOWN

The "Oklahoma Living Section, Page D-5":

SOONERWEAR: AFFORDABLE AND ANTAGONISTIC!