Republican nominee Cory Gardner’s high school football career briefly became a scandal in the Colorado Senate race Wednesday evening.
Deadspin followed up on an anecdote that Gardner gave to the Washington Post (while attending a football game, no less) in which he used his old gridiron days in high school as an analogy for Democratic Sen. Mark Udall’s campaign strategy.
The website spoke to an amateur local high school football historian in Yuma, Colo., where Gardner grew up. The historian and former high school teacher, Chuck Pfalmer, was pretty definitive: “Cory Gardner wasn’t on the football team.”
“I know Cory,” he told Deadspin. “I’d know if he played.”
Deadspin was also unable to track down any online evidence of Gardner’s alleged football career. The Gardner campaign apparently didn’t respond to any of Deadspin’s initial requests for comments.
Democratic operatives leapt.
Persoonhood, gov’t shutdown, energy policy not the only things @CoryGardner is blatantly lying about. Amazing. #cosen http://t.co/qP5d12C4Ls
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) October 15, 2014
But it looks like Gardner was ready for it. His Twitter team quickly produced photos that show what looks like a high school-aged future congressman with his uniform on, football in hand.
I never thought my unheralded sports career would make it onto @Deadspin pic.twitter.com/llKf62Z7UL #copolitics
— Cory Gardner (@CoryGardner) October 15, 2014
Hoping @johnelway notices my “good form” if he needs another left bench this weekend. #copolitics #cosen pic.twitter.com/nM3qeYolZN
— Cory Gardner (@CoryGardner) October 15, 2014
Gardner’s campaign explained to a local Associated Press reporter that he played in middle school through sophomore year of high school.
Cory Gardner spokesman @jasiciliano to me: “He played junior high school through sophomore year.” #cosen #copolitics cc @Deadspin
— Nick Riccardi (@NickRiccardi) October 15, 2014
UPDATE: 8:05 p.m. ET
Pfalmer also told the Denver Post that Deadspin had mischaracterized what he told them about Gardner.
“That’s a low blow,” he said. “I’ll tell you this: I’m proud to know him. He’s a very intelligent man. I don’t have nothing against him. He’s one of my best students.”
Image via Twitter.
