Former Tuberville player joins Doug Jones on campaign trail in Auburn

AUBURN —  Former Auburn University football player Victor Horn joined Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones at a campaign stop in Lee County, his opponent’s home county. 

More than 300 people attended the rally as Jones drew comparisons between himself and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee. Jones played clips of Tuberville’s speeches on the floor of the Senate and on the campaign trail, a hallmark of Jones’ rallies and town halls. 

“I’m going to show you some things. Bear with us, but I want you to hear Tommy talk about what he thinks about your friends, your neighbors, what is going on in the state of Alabama,” Jones said. “Don’t take my word for it. Listen to his own words.”

Horn said he has supported Jones for years, and asked to come on the campaign trail. He said that Tuberville’s apparent leadership style in the U.S. Senate mirrors that when he coached at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008. Horn played for the team in the early 2000s, according to the Auburn Football website, before he transferred to The University of Alabama.  

“Those videos that you guys see (of Tuberville) of the flip-flop back and forth and creating a vision, that’s what he did on the football team. Those opportunities are not really because of that. Those guys got together and learned to work together to make Auburn successful for you fans, and it wasn’t because of Tubby,” Horn said. 

A message seeking comment from the Tuberville campaign was left Thursday evening.

“Those are the same, similar tactics: manipulation, lies, deceit, having players turn on each other,” Horn said. “It’s all for him. It’s not for Auburn.”

Tuberville has said he will be a governor for all, but Jones challenged that. 

“You cannot do that when that is what you believe. When that is what is near in your heart, but you cannot expect much different from someone who has spent his entire career trash-talking as a football coach,” Jones said. “That’s what football coaches often do. Some do it better than others. He was damn good at it. Just trash-talking and us versus them. This is not a game, folks. We’re not hiring a coach. We’re hiring a governor.”

Jones also sharply criticized campaign mailers sent across the state this week by ProgressPAC, the fundraising arm of the Business Council of Alabama. The flyers displayed AI-generated images and text of Jones in front of the state of Alabama with the flag of the Soviet Union.

Alabama law prohibits AI-generated campaign advertisements within 90 days of an election without a disclaimer, but BCA’s mailer included in fine print that read, “This media has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur.”

“I’ve seen a lot of things in my days in politics. I have never, ever seen someone who will send a mailer and literally say it’s all a lie,” Jones said. “I want y’all to think about that when we talk about the power structure in Alabama and who’s calling the shots. That’s who’s calling the shots right here.”

Jones also reiterated his support of public schools and universities. Tuberville on Monday said fewer students should go to universities like Auburn and Alabama and get jobs instead. 

“Our universities are more than sports; they’re what’s driving the engine of the Business Council of Alabama. For God’s sake, they’re what’s driving our economy,” Jones said. “We know that, and that is a responsibility that we all have. It starts in education from an early age.”

Horn told attendees that when talking to their friends and neighbors about Tuesday’s election, to take their emotions about Auburn football out of it. 

“Look at him and his profile compared to Doug. (Tuberville) has not changed. He will not change. He’s not just Auburn’s coach, but Cincinnati’s coach, Ole Miss coach, everybody’s coach. He’s not committed to the city of Auburn, Auburn University, Auburn football, or the state of Alabama,” Horn said. “Doug Jones is an Alabama son. He’s a native. He’s a people person. He doesn’t mind a conversation with you, talking about what’s going on in Alabama. That’s what we need.”

The election is in four days. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.