Vanderbilt football team deletes, apologizes for controversial tweet

NASHVILLE, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- After posting a tweet that read "we don't need your permission" on its official Twitter account, the Vanderbilt football team is backtracking.

The tweet, which referenced a quote from coach Derek Mason, was very ill-timed. The campus is still dealing with the repercussions of a 2013 rape of an unconscious female student that allegedly involved four former football players.

The quote from Mason came in tweet form on July 21. "Back in Nashville and the work never stops," Mason tweeted. "This team wants, what some say it can't obtain. Sorry...We don't need your permission!"

Former Commodores players Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were found guilty on rape charges in January, but the judge declared a mistrial in June. Another trail date is scheduled for November. The other two players, Brandon E. Banks and Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, have also been accused of rape but have yet to go to trial.

Vanderbilt's athletic director, David Williams, issued an apology statement.

"We apologize for this morning's tweet from Vanderbilt Athletics," Williams said. "We deeply regret sending it and clearly failed to consider all of its implications before doing so. The phrase "We don't need your permission" was condensed from a larger statement and intended as a message to motivate our players and fans and to address those who have doubts about the football team's competitiveness this season. A staff member shortened the statement for Twitter, failing to recognize how the abbreviated tweet could be interpreted."

"The Athletics Department, as part of the larger Vanderbilt community, recognizes that sexual assault occurs far too frequently on campuses with devastating effect. Sex without permission is always wrong and not accepted at Vanderbilt."

The Vanderbilt football Twitter account also issued an apology.

"We apologize for today's tweet," VandyFootball tweeted. "It's not a comment about sexual assault. Sex without permission is always wrong and not accepted."

"Sexual assault is not acceptable at Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Athletics and Vanderbilt Football."