Golf Sponsor Drops Player Over Admiration For Cruz & Beck
Mike Opelka of the online publication The Blaze reports on Virginia-based businessman Brian McMahon dropping his sponsorship of aspiring golf pro Jeff Cochran.
The issue came down to a golf bag bible verse and the professional's professed admiration for Glenn Beck and Ted Cruz.
In late October, Cochran, his agent David Reynolds and NGC’s Brian McMahon both claim they were at a dinner and the conversation turned to Cruz. Cochran says he praised Cruz and his father, Raphael, mentioning that he had seen the elder Cruz on an episode of “The Glenn Beck Program.”
Cochran told TheBlaze that his sponsor was taken aback by this statement and was also troubled by the fact that his business associate was a fan of Beck. Following his pro-Cruz statement, Cochran said McMahon asked him, ”Would you be willing to give up our support to stand with that wackjob (Beck)?” Cochran answered “yes” and said the dinner continued without any additional tension or drama.
But the next morning, Cochran’s agent said, he received an email from NGC announcing that it was pulling all financial and product support from Cochran.
The email, a copy of which was provided to TheBlaze, demanded immediate return of all equipment and that Cochran stop using their logo as well. The initial email from McMahon to Cochran’s agent was quite specific as to the reason for the split (emphasis added):
David, I have never had an issue with you or really Jeff for that matter, but this situation is very disturbing. I have been tolerant of his religious views and even supported his off course speaking. However, I just can’t allow my company to be associated with these radical political views. The idea that Jeff would line up with the likes of Glenn Beck or Ted Cruz or any other individual interested in destroying America, just isn’t something I can swallow.
Pressed by The Blaze, McMahon was firm in his convictions.
Responding to McMahon’s email, we tried to correct some of his misconceptions (Beck doesn’t have or represent a “political party”), learn more about his organization (Nebraska Golf Card), and further understand the reason, or reasons, he terminated Conchran’s sponsorship. He did reply to our email. According to him, Nebraska Golf Card “is run by me alone.” He addressed a question about the ability to terminate someone for religious and political reasons by stating, “Jeff was not an employee but rather a private contractor.”
McMahon ended his email by saying, ”the only people who will care what happened to Jeff are the same religous (sic) zealots. Finally, my character might not be what you like, but I think for myself.”
Geoff
**Cochran will need his faith if this is him, as the story says a Jeff Cochran is going to jail for two years. Thanks to reader Dennis for catching this story on his Monday sentencing after pleading guilty to theft of jewelry.
Prosecutors say Cochran would steal expensive jewelry, including Rolex watches, from people at out-of-state golf courses before bringing the merchandise to Las Vegas and selling it.
Authorities say Cochran's thefts happened between September 2010 and March 2012.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
Cochran has been ordered to report to prison on Feb. 25.
**A search of photos of Jeff Cochran's playing golf would suggest they are about 8 years apart and not the same person.
Geoff
**Ryan Ballengee is on the case and now nothing is simple in this story. Including whether or not the entire thing is a hoax that The Blaze fell for.
Reader Comments (99)
Aren't liberals supposed to be....y'know "liberal" and more tolerant in their actions and viewpoints. The whole political spectrum has been turned on it's head sadly.
Playing devil's advocate, would this have been much different if a right-wing leaning sponsor was offended by their golfer overtly sporting a LGBT "rainbow?" Me thinks not.
Sponsors sponsor for all types of reasons, but what they buy is the hope for publicity and expansion of brand identity. Their $$= their right.
People just because you don't support Cruz and Beck does not mean you a lefty communist. I would not want my company or sponsorship dollars with any Pro-Golfer who has a potential for Controversy. Golf is a Corporate World good idea to keep your opinions to yourself.
Tip your waitresses! Goodnight!
This is not FoxNews.. political viewpoints vary, The Left vs Right argument is a build for TV model.. don't fall for it!
If the golfer wants to ''preach'' the far right agenda, it is his right (pun?), but if the sponsor cannot support this, he certainly has the right to withdraw his financial aid. Funny how the ''financial aid'' is ok for the golfer, but in the eyes of Beck and Cruz, ''financial aid'' is the ''enemy'', ecxept of course, when it is for corporate welfare.
Ted Cruz is and embarrassment to Texans, and the desire of the far right and far left to disrupt the government's ability to function is just short of criminal.
Good luck to this golfer, and anyone else who think that Beck is anything but a charlatan, preying on fear, and anyone who sees Cruz as a politician need learn the meaning of the word compromise.
We have had 30 plus years of political BS, with Lee Atwater setting the agenda for winning thru dirt. Sadly, far too many of these ''winners'' do not know how to legislate.
BTW, I am a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. I am FIRMLY against corporate welfare, and I have been active in supporting candidates, and I used to have a business that produced political ad specialties, and have worked with both parties since the early 90's. I can ell you all, that if you want to know what is wrong with the American Political situation, volunteer to work in a campaign office for a month, and see the waste, and the poor decisions, the deceptive statistics, and the self serving people.
Bravo, sir. You saved me from writing a long post this morning. Very well done.
My only offering, though, is to follow on your note that it's interesting that johnnycz (and others out there that I've met) feels that if someone doesn't like Beck or Cruz they must be left wing. I know many Republicans that think those two and others of the far right are nut jobs...... For the record, I just went down the hall to my favorite GOPer here at work and asked him to describe Beck in one or two words. "Nut job" was his reply, so those are from a GOPer, ok :)
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah. To those who celebrate neither of those holidays, happy hump day.
Ah, Hypocrisy in the morning, such a lovely bouquet :-)
McMahon has the right to support, or not, whomever he wishes.
Who are these "far leftists" with any influence in American politics? Really, some inquiring minds want to know. The President, who is a Rockefeller Republican at best, doesn't count. Unless you view him as a KenyanMuslimSocialistFascist. Of course, then you are a citizen of GlennBeckistan and we have come full circle and gotten nowhere.
Why are the Bible verses always so predictable? It's like when you ask a TOUR golfer to name his favorite book. The well read mention The Fountainhead instead of Atlas Shrugged. Why not Ex. 20:8 and its companion Lv 23:3 instead of Ph. 4:13 or John 3:16. Why not Mt. 25:40, which is the most important verse in the New Testament. Or, taken out of context but apt, John 11:35?
Go Digs!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
But I must go where all true Christians reside- Matthew 6;5 and 6;6. The world is full of loudmouths, and the lemmings don't know the difference between honest zeal, and egotistical eloquence..
Thanks for the support, guys. The amazing thin is the far right and the far right ''Christians'' do not even know they are patsies, even when the Bush Administration admitted they were tapping the pockets and laughing at the zealots, all in the same breath. You can look it up.
Winner! Well done.
Your post was good, asking why folks selectively apply Bible verses. You can't ask golfers of supposedly deep faith to apply Ex 20:8 or Lv23:3. Those say to respect the sabbath and not work on the holy day. If they follow those verses, they can't make their money by peforming their jobs on the Sabbath (i.e., final round). Sure, Ph 4:13, John 3:16, and Mt 25:40 work for all Christians, but what's unique and cool about that? If one wants to really show off and strut their Christianity, then they need to use more obscure and less universally known verses. Makes them look all the more devout. I mean, really....one is not supposed to boast or strut their stuff (see Ph 2:1-8, James 4:6, etc.)
Aside from that, we could dive way off-topic and discuss the appropriateness of living one's life and adhering strictly to verses from Leviticus and Exodus. Three examples:
Exodus 21:7. I can sell my daughter into slavery. What's today's going rate, and is this ok?
Leviticus 19:27. Haircuts are expressly forbidden. DL3, Dufner, and Ricky may get a pass here, but what about all the other well-coifed players?
Leviticus 21:20. I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. Tiger and others have had Lasik. How does God decide on this one? Defects were there but fixed through technology. Do they get in on a technicality?
:)
ps-> Geoff, do I get bonus points for attracting eyeballs by throwing in a TW ref? :)
Enjoy the time in jail ace.
McMahon did the right thing.
And regarding that update: Jesus wept.
No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.
–Lily Tomlin
So, he's a true HypoChristian...hypocritical Christian. :)
Hopefully, he's not so devout that he wants to follow Old Testament verses from Exodus. This doesn't bode well for him:
Ex. 22:2-3- If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die...
:)
Forgot to mention to all: have a Wonderful Thanksgiving, and be safe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIyewCdXMzk
Not cool. Who among those Republicans likely to buy a pair of Air Jordans would have been offended by an endorsement of the Charlotte mayor? Anyway, I used to wonder how NC reelected Jesse Helms 4 times. And then Art Pope popped up. Getting hard to tell the Carolinas apart. Jeebus.
I think you're new here. Just an FYI, none of old-timers (KLG, digs, etc.) are "thumpers". Speaking for myself, I'm just having fun on a rainy Carolina day.
Happy Turkey Day. :)
ps-> I'll modify a cliche for here. There are no atheists in foxholes...or sand traps. :)
The bible relative to the game portion of people's live's is written by Ben Hogan.
Additionally, I would like to add to anyone interested, that The History Channel has been running a great series on ''The Bible'', and as most who are real students of the history of the bible would know- the bible was a compilation, organized by the Nicene ''meetings, some say led by an athiest King--- many books were left out, they are available, and the joke to me, is the literal ''readers'' of the bible, who take every word as ''fact'', never considering that the english written bible is a real watered down version of the original words, the original languages used, and how, to think that Jesus said these things in english is to ignore fact.
Whether you are a Christian or an Athiest, their are many words of wisdom in the bible, and the moral code for man is there, words to have peace and harmony. Sadly, all religion has done (as opposed to a ''Supreme Being'' is serve as a talking point for warmongers to stir up weak minded people into killing and being killed, in the name of being ''right''.
God=good;religion-bad, sort of like country =good,;government-bad.
Peace on Earth, and Beyond!
I have absolutely zero issue with a sponsor dropping someone over religious or political views. Its whats great about american......for now. That a business owner can make their own decisions and run the business free from someone else telling them what to charge, how to spend their money, or the hours they open......for now.
There are plenty of crazies on both sides of the political aisle, and no doubt some view Beck as one, but you must then acknowledge the ones on the left who mindlessly and blindly follow our current admin and the policies that are hurting the very people they pretend to help.
Speaking as a fairly easy-going Christian who believes that what I understand to be the essential message of Christ's life and work is great but has been traduced by hypocrisy, literalism, and the corrupting human influence of organised religion, every time I hear a golfer witter on about the Good Lord, or how the Lord was there with the particular golfer on the fairway (most likely on a Sunday afternoon), the lack of self-awareness and proportion makes my stomach churn. I'd run a mile from sponsoring someone who insisted on having a cross and Phil 4:13 on his bag.