Minnesota Gophers WR Quits Team, Writes Scathing Letter to Head Coach with Accusations of Mistreatment

Dillon Cheverere12 years ago

The Minnesota Gophers’ leading wide receiver, A.J. Barker, quit the football team George Costanza style, in a blaze of glory. Upon quitting, Barker wrote a scathing, inflammatory letter to head coach Jerry Kill, accusing him of gross mistreatment and manipulation among other things. This comes after an ankle injury sidelined Barker, and Kill allegedly tried to force him back on the field before he felt he was ready, preceded by a myriad derogatory comments about Barker and his family.

Jerry Kill is Bud Kilmer.

Barker broke the news via Twitter:

Well, its official. I am done playing football for the University of Minnesota and I will be looking to transfer next season for my final yr

— AJ Barker (@A_Barker_82) November 18, 2012

With his next tweet, Barker directed readers to his blog where he posted the letter he sent to Kill.

For anyone who wants to read the exact letter I sent Jerry Kill, hear why, check out my blog post on my new tumblr: AJBarker82

— AJ Barker (@A_Barker_82) November 18, 2012

His letter is a little long-winded, so I’m picking out a few of the more entertaining parts, and I’m doing it because I love you guys:

Now, in honor of my family and myself I’m done with you for good. In light of that pathetic, manipulative display of rage and love you put on this past Thursday, I have come to the decision, with the guidance of my parents and my closest friends, that my time on this team has come to an end. It kills me that I have to do this before the season’s over, but this is the only way I can protect myself against the manipulation and abuse I’d have to endure from you the rest of this season.

There’s nothing special about me?

I’m a dime a dozen?

You don’t know what “fucked up things happened to me to screw me up so much as a person”?

My stock fell as a person since I got injured?

You had 5 of me at Northern Illinois?

You say I’ll never earn a scholarship under you? That I don’t deserve one?

………………………………..

On the car ride to get the MRI I was talking with Chris Ashton and telling him I simply wanted to understand what was going on in my ankle and that I think I have a high ankle sprain. He responded immediately by saying, “oh we know you have a high ankle sprain, we just don’t think its that severe”.

………………………………..

It was during this discussion that you came over and exploded on me in front of the entire team in our indoor facility. “YOU DON’T FUCKING GET TO TELL THE TRAINER WHAT YOU DO!” followed by a 20 minute tyraid where you attacked everything about me, from an athlete to my character as a person. I took every word of it replying faithfully “Yes sir. Yes sir. No, sorry sir” and watched as you demeaned me to a point of no return.

Quitting mid-season is a bold statement, especially with only one year of football remaining before graduation. The full letter is worth a read. And if you’re buying what Barker is selling, Jerry Kill is a dick head.

CLICK HERE for the full letter.

[Source]