Cassanova McKinzy is trying to backpedal on his comments that he chose to play college football at Auburn because of its on-campus Chick-Fil-A. Trying is the key word.
See, on Wednesday, the 6’2″ 225 pound outside linebacker from Birmingham decided to pick Auburn over Clemson. And when asked why, he gave a curious answer.
“(It was) kind of the environment and plus they had no Chick-fil-A on campus,” McKinzy said. “You had to go probably like 15 minutes off campus to go to a real restaurant. Their cafe was kind of small.”
You can watch it below at about the 1:30 mark:
McKinzy was panned for his comment, especially considering, as HuffPo notes, that there is a Chick-Fil-A on the Clemson campus:
Regardless of whether or not the relative location of a Chick-Fil-A should ever factor into one’s decision about where to attend college, it would at least seem wise to extensively research whatever criteria being used. Oddly, it seems that McKinzy did not do his fast food homework since there actually is a Chick-Fil-A location on the Clemson campus, according to the restaurant’s website.
But now McKinzy is trying salvage his reputation by explaining it wasn’t really the the food that brought him to Auburn.
“That’s not the reason I chose Auburn or why I didn’t choose Clemson,” McKinzy said Thursday. “I actually wanted to give Clemson a shot, but it (his decision) didn’t have anything to do with Chick-fil-A.”
“I was just being funny,” he added. “I gave all the reasons why I chose Auburn.”
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Comments (74)
broken1
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:43amI’ll give this kid the benefit of the doubt. I remember being 17 and saying all kinds of dumb statements. Leave him alone and we will see what kind of man he will be on and off the field. Now where did I put those waffle fries……
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ozchambers
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:57amMy first job was at a Chic-fil-A. They are a fine company with great products and service and run by the right kinds of folks. While working there, they used to have regular fries, and then one day we got an order of waffle fries and we were asked to fry them up and all of the employees voted on which we preferred and that’s how they decided to move to waffle fries. That was back in the early to mid 80′s.
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TAXLORDCOMETH
Feb. 3, 2012 at 1:52pmJudging from last year’s season, Auburn players need to be eating more red meat.
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3monkeysmomma
Feb. 3, 2012 at 2:54pmI would totally factor the proximity of a Chik-fil-a into all my important life decisions.
…..no, seriously! I love Chik-fil-a. I ate there yesterday.
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:41pmI took it as a joke when I originally read this article somewhere else and that article provided a lot more context for the comment, including his real reasons for picking Auburn.
But this is the Blaze so it’s a black guy chooses college based on chicken version of the story.
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jcannon98188
Feb. 5, 2012 at 3:43amI LOVE Chick-Fil-a! Too bad the closest one is a few hours away from where I live (If the CEO or anyone is reading this, Olympia,Washington could use some Chicken LOVE!!!!) I especially love that they keep the sabbath day holy, and do not operate on Sunday. Everyone said they were crazy, and that it would fail as a business. Still waiting for it to fail ;)
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gr8t2bfree
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:32amAnother brain dead athelete………
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bhohater
Feb. 3, 2012 at 4:07pmThey have a wonderful cafeteria also that always features watermelon at the salad bar.
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:42pmWonder why you hate Obama? hmmmmm
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georgeisn6
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:31amSports fans of all stripes are just as stupid as this mental giant.
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LukeAppling
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:30amChick-Filet is a wonderful restaurant and this young man will do very well with his life as an auburn alum with a degree.God bless him.
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:43pmWith a degree from Auburn, maybe he can even work at a chick-fila.
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i_believe
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:00amI don’t know him that well but what I got out of the interview was a lot of “Yes Sir” and No Mam” … in other words he appears to be polite regards of where he likes to eat.
And I happen to like Chick-Fil-A
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JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Feb. 3, 2012 at 10:46amMental giant……………..
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What_Did_I_Miss
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:02amIt may have even been a sarcastic answer to a question that he is tired of answering for
the 500th time.
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bhohater
Feb. 3, 2012 at 4:14pmPlan ahead I say. A man who thinks like that will go far in life, but for now a little lickin-chicken, watermelon, and a white girlfriend will suffice.
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3monkeysmomma
Feb. 3, 2012 at 4:32pmI’m sorry…remind us what discipline you received your Ph.D. in…?
He’s a kid for God’s sake, lay off!
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:45pmBHOHater is just reinforcing outsider’s general opinion of the kind of people who post here.
He’s probably one of those guys who is scared of every black guy he sees.
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Jason W
Feb. 3, 2012 at 10:45amAs a Clemson Grad I can say we had a Chick-Fil-A on campus when I left in 2000. There is a nice one in town but he is right that its about 2 miles away.
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Harvickfan29
Feb. 3, 2012 at 10:17amThis is why Alabama is the better team. We play for our tradition of winning Championships not food. Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!!
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jnobfan
Feb. 3, 2012 at 10:00amThere are kids with a 3.4 grade average and a 1350 SAT that spend their weekends doing charity work that get denied admission to UF or Auburn all of the time. This guy with his 2.5 and 900 SAT gets to turn down schools because they do not have a fast food fried chicken place on campus.
I love college football. Not kidding
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:52pmIf you bothered to read this article anywhere but here you would find quotes from him discussing his dissatisfaction with the Clemson athletic facilities and the distances between dorms, classes, and the facilities. But hey, he’s black and this is the blaze so. …
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robinakilt
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:58amWait my question is… Is Auburn or Clemson a NON-PROFIT college? If they are can someone explain to me how these schools can make a profit off of the land I am sure they are leasing to Chik-fil-a and any other college that may be leasing land to any other for profit business? I am sick and tired of colleges and universities being able to claim non-profit status while they rape students on tuition and do not have to show a single student if they can even find a job with that degree. These college campuses have become immaculate and the professors at most make a killing in pay to teach our kids un-American ideas. The colleges should not be allowed to claim non-profit status. I am not sure if either of these colleges are or are not non-profit but the article made me think about that topic.
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nobull14
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:47amCheck for brain cells ? pick your collage for a chicken burger?
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Aunt Nee Nee
Feb. 3, 2012 at 12:06pmI think you meant “college”. Please proofread before you post – and look up the definition of “collage.” Check for brain cells and for spelling errors. Thanks!
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LawofHospitality
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:18amWas it a goofy statement? Yes. Does it warrant intelligent people to make impassioned comments and judgments about a 17-ish yr olds character? Not really. Save the passion for things that really matter, and don’t sweat the small stuff.
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Tankertony
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:04amMcKinzy? well we know those Irish folk love their chicken……
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Hickory
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:03amSon, can you pass a football? Duh, I passes everthang I eats coach.
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GatorSkin
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:58amHe already showed just how smart he is by picking between Aubuuuuurn and Clipson. What no good programs want you???? Go eat a friggin chick-fil-a!!!!!!!!
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MEANS2RESIST
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:52amTypical UF arrogance there GATORSKIN….AU & Clemson have been the better programs in the last couple of years….you guys are nothing without Tebow…..
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:54pmRoll Tide.
He picked the right school if he likes chickens. Auburn is a farm school.
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AMERICA4EVER
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:53amYup, another really smart guy.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:50amWhether anyone else thinks his reasons are stupid doesn’t matter. It’s HIS life and HIS decision to make. We ALL make choices and have to live with them, no matter how dumb they may seem at the time.
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RJJinGadsden
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:04amI agree with you there. He is after all still a high school kid. But, as an Alabama fan there will be a lot of poking fun when he does start to play for Auburn.
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AU Patriot
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:19amRJJINGGASDEN – It could be also b/c Chizik gave 4 year schlorships to his players versus the standard one year. #WDE :-)
Eat More Chicken
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Link8on
Feb. 3, 2012 at 2:47pmDecades ago, I recall a game where the greeks from my school tossed many peaches on the field in the last minute of the last game of the year against a visiting team who got the Peach bowl bid.
Now, will the Bama Tide fans be loading up on Chikfil-A nuggets to toss during the Auburn game to haze this recruit?
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Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Feb. 3, 2012 at 11:56pmAU PARROT
Cheez-it HAD to give bonus scholarships if he had a prayer of getting any good players to that wreck of a program what with Saban taking the cream of the crop. Thanks for T.J. Yeldon. Roll Tide!
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Locked
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:35amChick-Fil-A isn’t bad; when I was in college we had one in the student union too. Wasn’t good either, but it was cheap, available, and better tasting than burgers.
Hey, seems like a good enough reason for college. As a football recruit he’s likely not going for the academics!
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StopWhiningAlready
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:33amAs an Atlanta resident, like anyone else who lives in the Southeastern US, Chick-Fil-A is a pretty big deal (as far as fast food joints go). The Cathy family do a tremendous amount for the community and, despite giving up hundreds of millions in profits in exchange for remaining closed on Sundays to honor their Catholic faith, run a very profitable and clean business. Insinuations of unsavory behavior ( Gonzo) is just stupid. Plus, he’s a kid being placed under a media microscope. Attempts at humor to lighten the load, however lame, shouldn’t be analyzed to the Nth degree in order to make it appear as something it’s not. Sorry, Blaze. FAIL.
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War_Eagle
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:10amNot sure where you got the idea that Cathy is Catholic. He’s a Christian who attends a Baptist church in Jonesboro. His family is Baptist. His son in law is the former VP of the SBC’s International Missions Board.
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tajloc
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:26amI gotta send this on to my SEC lovin’ buddy. Ha Ha Rmember Rom 8:28
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NewLife56
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:25amI LOVE Chick-Fil-A, this kid is smart :-)
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martinez012577
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:16amLets remember this guy is still in highschool. I doubt he gets alot of tv speaking time. Plus, Chick-Fil-A is really good.
Ron Paul 2012 and SEC football!!!!!!
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denispaul
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:29amI hope your joking.
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martinez012577
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:39amWhy would I be joking. I mean he is what 17 maybe 18. I remember being that age and all I thought about was sports, food, and girls. It makes since. What are you disheartened by the fact he didnt say he wanted to go to Auburn for their education? Come on.
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RRFlyer
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:42amcome on, DENISPAUL. It’s not like he is choosing between spending his life in Russia or China. It’s a school in the USA. he can do what he wants include change his mind at any time. What’s the big deal?
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3monkeysmomma
Feb. 3, 2012 at 4:35pmRon Paul and Chik-fil-A!
You and I would really get along…..
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SpankDaMonkey
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:16am.
There are so many “A Boy and his Chicken” Jokes………….
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Stoic one
Feb. 3, 2012 at 9:56amchoking the chicken again?????????????????
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Link8on
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:15amGuessing this was not one who liked KFC (Kentucky) , Popeyes, or Boston Market (BC).
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Gonzo
Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:03amChick-Fil-A and Auburn pays really well. Ask Cam Newton.
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