Team Loyalty Leads to Lawsuit Print
Thursday, August 18 2011

A carpenter in Oklahoma learned the hard way that some football fans and coaches put a premium on team loyalty. Contractor Brent Loveland showed up at Oklahoma State football head coach Mike Gundy's house to begin work on home improvements wearing a gray University of Oklahoma baseball t-shirt.  Upon seeing the rival shirt, Coach Gundy yelled, “how dare you [Loveland] come into my house and offend my wife” wearing that shirt on “OSU soil.” 
 
According to news reports, Loveland proclaimed to Gundy that he had no idea what he was talking about and that Gundy proceeded with profanity which “would make a sailor blush” and began calling him a “stupid idiot.” Loveland apologized and tried to make peace by offering to wear the shirt inside out.  Gundy refused the apology and fired the contractor.
 
Loveland, who claims he was never told or instructed to not wear University of Oklahoma gear at Gundy's house, filed suit in district court against Gundy and his wife, seeking more than $10,000 in damages for termination and embarrassment.

In a statement released through his attorney, Gundy stated, "While I cannot discuss the specifics of pending litigation, I deny the allegations being made and welcome the opportunity to fully resolve the matter."

—Source:  Associated Press and TheMatadorSports.com