Player barred from UNA team over tweet about Obama

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December 17, 2012

Player barred from UNA team over tweet about Obama

Anonymous Associated Press Mon Dec 17, 2012, 03:17 PM CST

FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama says a walk-on football player won’t be allowed back on the team after sending a tweet about President Barack Obama.

Sports publicist Jeff Hodges said Monday coaches have informed lineman Bradley Patterson of Red Bay that he’s no longer welcome because of his social media comment.

Hodges says coaches acted after being informed of a message that refers to Obama by a racial epithet. The tweet complained that Obama’s speech about the Connecticut school massacre pre-empted an NFL game Sunday night.

Hodges says the school found that there’s no question the tweet was issued by Patterson. Patterson couldn’t be reached by The Associated Press for comment Monday.

Hodges says Patterson joined the team as a walk-on after the fourth game of this season.

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