YOUR VIEW: Alumnus Troubled by Players' Behaviors in Outback Bowl

Editor, the Auburn Plainsman

While I was thrilled with the outcome of our Bowl game, I was very disappointed with the way the team conducted itself on the field.

I have always taken a great deal of pride in the way Auburn conducts itself compared to a lot of other teams during competitive events: not taunting, no excessive trash talking, etc.

I realize players get pumped and it is ridiculous to think that none of it should go on but not to the extent that I saw in this bowl game.

We looked like the Miami of old or worse yet, Bama.

On almost every play I saw us trash talking for a while to the player that had been hit

Not once did I see us help an opposing player up.

This is a bowl game, not Bama. We acted like we hated each player on the other team.

I have no problem with getting pumped, celebrating good plays (tear their head off then help them up) and even small trash talking. But we looked like thugs, not my team that I'm always proud of for having class.

I live in S.E. Georgia and even my friends that are Bulldog and Tech fans commented that it was unusual for AU to look like they did.

Please speak to the team and other coaches.

I want us to play hard and annihilate other teams, but do it with Class.

Coaching staff - Great start to a new era in AU Football. Thanks for all the hard work in 2009.

Joe Hart

Class of '83