Mel Tucker’s $77 million Phone Call
Coach appears fired by Michigan State for alleged sexual Misconduct.
There are only a few guarantees in life. Death. Taxes. Men inappropriately, or sometimes even violently, making sexual gestures, comments, or any other sexual in nature advance towards unwanting women. This is not exclusive to the lesser parts of our society. No, many times in history, men of great stature, fame, money, or prestige have committed these acts. Almost undoubtedly, it ends careers, psychologically and physically affects the victims forever, and unleashes chaos on so many lives.
Tucker is in the third year of a $95 million, 10-year contract, and if, or when, he is fired for cause, the remainder of the contract will not be paid. This equates to roughly $77 million.
It all stems from the university paying activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy, $10,000 to speak to the team about educating athletes about sexual violence. This is work she has become known for, traveling the country trying to educate young athletes.
The two became friends through the process, often exchanging texts and calls to keep in touch.
That friendship appears to be misinterpreted, at least by one of the two. Allegedly, during a phone call in April 2022, Tucker “pleasured” himself over the phone to Tracy, in what he calls consensual phone sex. After the call, Ms. Tracy seemed to have filed a complaint with the school’s Title IX office, and the investigation ended in July. During the investigation process, however, a leak of the information occurred. That’s when Tucker believes the University started to find a motive to fire him.
The 51-year-old coach says the allegations are totally false, and in his recent press statement claims he, is “disappointed — but not surprised — to learn that MSU intends to terminate my contract over Ms. Tracy’s improper public disclosure of the entire 1200-page investigation file regarding her baseless complaint against me.” He also claims the University never considered this a firable event until “Ms. Tracy and potentially others leaked the confidential investigation report to the press” (AP, 2023).
Ms. Tracy’s representation says she did not leak any information, and that someone else was the press leaker.
The hearing is scheduled for the week of Oct. 5, and it could take up to 60 days to find out whether or not Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment and exploitation policy.
These incidents are always so difficult for many, many reasons. First, if Ms. Tracy was indeed subject to sexual harassment, this is an incredibly disturbing thing for Tucker to do. Especially the nature in which the two met since Ms. Tracy has suffered violent sexual crimes in the past.
Secondly, even if it were consensual, one would think a coach of this stature would protect himself much better than Tucker did in this situation. At least have a normal relationship….you know, a dinner date, movie, maybe even a game. Masturbating over the phone? Seems like a terrible decision, even for consenting adults. Maybe I’m a prude.
Where Does Tucker Go From Here?
Coach Tucker’s crime, misinterpretation of the relationship, or unprofessional behavior (we really don’t know if either party is embellishing, so we have to stay on the fence and be sure to take Ms. Tracy’s allegations seriously) has essentially wrecked his career. I doubt he’ll ever roam the sidelines again as a head coach. Perhaps a position coach or assistant in the NFL. Then again, it’s hard to tell these days. Some “down on their luck” team may decide to roll the dice. Whatever the outcome, Tucker will never stand on top of the mountain again. Even the allegation leaves a forever stain on his legacy. Again, if this was consensual, it was still a monumentally bad decision by the coach. If this wasn’t consensual, a heinous act that cannot be swept away.
You’d think people in these positions would have better judgment and better morals.
References
Image: https://flic.kr/p/yNRiH4
The Associated Press. (2023). Michigan State football coach Tucker says `other motives’ behind his firing for alleged misconduct. 16 News Now. Retrieved https://www.wndu.com/2023/09/19/michigan-state-football-coach-tucker-says-other-motives-behind-his-firing-alleged-misconduct/