Getty Image / Jeff Moreland / Icon Sportswire
The Kentucky Wildcats (16-7) hosted the Florida Gators (13-10) over the weekend in a heated SEC matchup.
Kentucky ultimately came out on top, beating the Gators 72-67 even though the Wildcats were outscored 45-39 in the second half.
One of Kentucky’s ‘Blue Coats’, an usher wearing a blue coat, went viral after footage showed him flipping the bird / giving the middle finger to the Florida Gators. Doug the Blue Coat from Kentucky makes an appearance here 8-seconds into the clip:
Gotta love the Blue Coat Bird Flip to end the game pic.twitter.com/f4YzdNwEvf
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 5, 2023
Come Monday, it came to light that the Kentucky Wildcats relieved Doug the Blue Coat of his duties as an usher. It is a revered position in Lexington. Doug clearly wore that Blue Coat with pride.
Doug the Blue Coat called into Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) and told the world the Kentucky Wildcats didn’t want him representing the school as an usher any longer:
The Blue Coat that flipped the Bird is on KSR Radio
He says he was let go bc UK Athletics said they didn’t want him representing UK sports
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 6, 2023
Doug has been a UK Blue Coat for 19 years!
Doug the Blue Coat called into KSR and said UK Athletics told the Committee to not allow him to be a Blue Coat anymore bc he flipped the bird at the Florida game
He said he has done the games for 19 years, loves the students and is sad. We need to help #FreeDoug pic.twitter.com/RUvtNr7eJc
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 6, 2023
There is already a grassroots campaign to get Doug the Blue Coat his job back.
The other Blue Coats should do this for Doug pic.twitter.com/NhKoAPE9hW
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 6, 2023
The hashtag #FreeDoug has started picking up steam on Twitter thanks to tweets like this one:
Doug, a UK Blue Coat, is one of us. Let’s the intensity get into the bloodstream during a big game and flipped the bird to a SEC rival. TV caught it. After 19 years, UK has let him go. Should have been given a warning. Things happen in the moment. Enjoy retirement buddy #Freedoug
— JD Shelburne (@JDSHELBURNE) February 6, 2023
The only Doug that UK fans want out of Rupp is Doug Shows. Let the Blue Coat back in!!! #FreeDoug
— Chris Jenkins (@ChrisJenkinsBBN) February 6, 2023
It’s a rivalry! Nobody should lose their job in sports for getting a little heated during a rivalry.
Come on @UKAthletics Let Doug keep his Blue Coat. You should be required to flip the bird to a Gator fan at least once to get to be a Blue Coat. Doug should be moved to the main entrance so fans can get their pic with him before games. #FreeDoug https://t.co/HCZLGsqbCB
— Travis Rice (@LeonFatts) February 6, 2023
Free Doug!
Rick Pitino should never be allowed to step foot into Rupp Arena until Blue Coat Doug is brought back. Forgive only one bird. #FreeBlueCoatDoug
— Lil Big Man (@AshlandPaul) February 6, 2023
It seems unlikely the Kentuck Wildcats will reverse this decision. They made it quickly. Likewise, the public outcry has been swift which means it will die down quickly as well.
That is unless the public gets LOUD to #SaveDoug.