There is a story burning up TheBlaze today involving an aspiring pro-golfer, the Bible, and Glenn. Until recently, it looked like Jeff Cochran may have finally gotten the ‘big break’ he needed to make it into the PGA. In January, Cochran was contracted by Virginia-based businessman Brian McMahon to help promote Nebraska Golf Card (NGC), a promotional operation “designed to give golfers reduced rates and access to private clubs.” But it now appears that Cochran’s Christian faith and appreciation for conservatives like Glenn and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) may be the reason he was dropped from his sponsorship.
“I mean everybody has their own right to their own point of view and whatever it is they want to do. God bless them,” Glenn said on radio this morning. “There are, however, disturbing ways to take care of things I think, and this is one of those cases.”
After playing most of the year for Nebraska Golf Card, Cochran’s sponsorship was abruptly terminated. The initial reason given seemed quite surprising — his support for Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz; Cruz’s father, Raphael; and Glenn Beck — but faith, and specifically a Bible verse, also played a big part in the termination of the contract.
The verse in question? Philippians 4:13, which reads, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
In late October, Cochran, his agent David Reynolds and NGC’s Brian McMahon were at a dinner and the conversation turned to Cruz. Cochran says he praised Cruz and his father, Raphael, mentioning that he had seen the elder Cruz on an episode of “The Glenn Beck Program.”
Cochran told TheBlaze that his sponsor was taken aback by this statement and was also troubled by the fact that his business associate was a fan of Beck. Following his pro-Cruz statement, Cochran said McMahon asked him, ”Would you be willing to give up our support to stand with that wackjob (Beck)?” Cochran answered “yes” and said the dinner continued without any additional tension or drama.
According to Cochran’s agent, his client lost his sponsorship the very next day. The agent received an email from NCG announcing that it was pulling all financial and product support from Cochran.
“David, I have never had an issue with you or really Jeff for that matter, but this situation is very disturbing,” the email reads. “I have been tolerant of his religious views and even supported his off course speaking. However, I just can’t allow my company to be associated with these radical political views. The idea that Jeff would line up with the likes of Glenn Beck or Ted Cruz or any other individual interested in destroying America, just isn’t something I can swallow.”
Glenn explained that his staff learned of the story several weeks ago, and initially chose to not get involved. Subsequent events, however, led TheBlaze to go forth with investigating and publishing the incident.
“So we had this and it was brought to our attention… And I don't want to get involved in something where his career is going to be made worse for it… If it's his business, he has a right… I believe that if you have a problem with somebody in business, for any reason, it's your call,” Glenn said. “We were in the process of of investigating the story, exchanging e-mails with Jeff Cochran and his agent, establishing a timeline of the events, when received an unsolicited e-mail from Brian McMahon of NGC.”
Mike Opelka, a writer for TheBlaze, received the following email from McMahon regarding NGC’s decision to terminate its sponsorship of Cochran
“This guy is a dirtbag,” Pat said after hearing the letter.
On the other hand, Glenn had a slightly different take. “He has every right,” Glenn said. “Congratulations for having the courage of your convictions and admitting who you are. I have no problem with that. I have no problem with this guy. That's what he believes. Now, I don't know anything about his company at all. But, personally, I would rather know that – without any malice or anything else, I would rather know that…. If I was in the market for his card or whatever it is I wouldn't get it. I would go and find some place else. If I really thought it was a really, really good deal then I would have to say, ‘Well, I mean look at the way he talks about Christians and the way he talks about other people. It's his way or the highway. And so I don't know if I would do it. I wouldn't.”
Glenn asked the audience to pray for McMahon “because he's got some sort of rage in him that comes from some place deep.” He also asked the audience to consider what they could do for Cochran.
“Now, if there's a sponsor out there that wants to sponsor this guy in a golf tournament, Jeff Cochran is available,” Glenn said. “Forget about [McMahon]. We know who he is. He announced who he is. He's proud of who he is. Good. Now you decide what you're going to do about it. You going to do business with him or not? I think Jeff should be glad that he's not. I don't know Jeff at all, but he should be glad that he's no longer in business with him… So now is there somebody that wants to sponsor him?”
