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Chicago car salesman keeps his Packers tie, loses his job

Green Bay Packers v Pittsburgh Steelers

John Stone is a car salesman and big Packers fan. Webb Chevrolet in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn is an official sponsor of the Bears’ radio broadcasts. The dispute over Stone’s decision to wear a Packers tie to work at Webb Chevrolet on Monday led to Stone no longer working at Webb Chevrolet.

Stone recounted his conversation with his boss, Jerry Roberts, in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times: “He said, ‘You have two options. Remove the tie, or you’re fired.’ When I didn’t, he said, ‘You can leave, you’re fired.’ Does that sound fair to you?”

It sounds fair to Roberts, who told the Sun-Times that wearing a Packers tie the day after the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship Game could affect the dealership’s bottom line because it antagonizes Bears fans and “makes it harder to sell cars.”

Roberts said Webb Chevrolet spends a lot of money to be an official sponsor of Bears radio broadcasts and that employees aren’t allowed to undermine that. Roberts added, “If he loves the tie more than his job, he’s welcome to keep wearing it — elsewhere.”

Stone told the Dan Patrick Show that if he could do it all over again, “I wouldn’t have worn it all.”

But it all ended well for Stone, who told Patrick that he already has a new job, at a Chevy dealership.

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100 Responses to “Chicago car salesman keeps his Packers tie, loses his job”
  1. roethlisberger says: Jan 25, 2011 10:16 AM

    Sucks for him, but that’s business. I’d do the same thing if I owned the store (and liked the bears).

  2. FinFan68 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:19 AM

    Very stupid stand on principle. Wear the tie on your own time, not company time for a company that officially sponsors the Bears. This is not a boss doesn’t like the team deal, it could undermine the sponsorship…although the “antagonizes Bears fans and “makes it harder to sell cars” line is a bit much

  3. hnirobert3 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:22 AM

    People take sports WAY to seriously. Maybe I’m immune to letdown because I’m a Dolphin fan and the last time they played in an AFC title game I was 10, but I cannot imagine firing, fighting, spitting on, etc someone else because my team lost to theirs. Life goes on.

  4. kc4life7 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:24 AM

    Makes sense to me. They told him to take it off or get fired but he refused. I don’t feel sorry for this guy at all.

  5. cosmicduster says: Jan 25, 2011 10:28 AM

    If he was a great salesman he wouldn’t have been fired.

  6. firstclasspack says: Jan 25, 2011 10:35 AM

    It’s not about the owner liking the Bears. It’s about alienating the customers that like the Bears. If they can go somewhere else and comiserate with another Bears fan rather than have a Packer Fan rub it in their face they probably would.

  7. ice90 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:36 AM

    Not the PC thing to say, but I agree with the dealership. His decision to wear a Packers tie after Sunday’s game could have a negative impact on the business. Doesn’t matter if it actually did or not. They’re running a business and the employee has to adhere to reasonable requests from the employer. Removing the offending tie was a reasonable request for a customer-facing employee in Chicago.

    Now, if the employee worked in a warehouse and doesn’t interact face to face with customers, then no, the tie is no longer a business issue.

  8. lbijake says: Jan 25, 2011 10:36 AM

    He did not get fired for wearing a tie, he got fired for being a jerk. Just as their is separation of church and state, there is separation of work and personal life. If dude was affecting my bottom line, I would also send him packing.

  9. JimmySmith says: Jan 25, 2011 10:36 AM

    He should have worn a Viking tie. That surely would have made the customers feel sorry for him and he could sell more cars, isn’t that the overall objective?

  10. wte1 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:37 AM

    I like that General Manager.

  11. chobes68 says: Jan 25, 2011 10:39 AM

    I can appreciate his love for his team, even as a Bears fan. It wouldn’t have aggravated me as a customer, as I would just have some good natured ribbing with him. However, playing Russian roulette with your employer, especially one who advertises with the local team? Not exactly the brightest bulb. I would hope he’s an awesome salesperson, for his sake.

  12. xxwhodatxx says: Jan 25, 2011 10:44 AM

    Awww boo hoo looks like the bears fans are bigger babies than thier QB…wah wah he wore a tie wahhhhh

  13. marvsleezy says: Jan 25, 2011 10:44 AM

    So this guy is so faithful to a football team that hes willing to be insubordinate at work to the point that hes willing to lose hos job over it?

    Thats not what Im looking for in an employee.

  14. thingamajig says: Jan 25, 2011 10:46 AM

    So what? He had a choice and made it.

  15. coachstram says: Jan 25, 2011 10:48 AM

    Bieng unemployed, I couldnt care less about this Bozo’s VERY stupid decision.

    He got darned lucky he found another gig so quickly.

  16. kleppnasty says: Jan 25, 2011 10:48 AM

    I think lost in the shuffle of how dumb this guy was, is the fact that he wore a Packers tie to work. Is he 5? What grown man wears a sports themed tie to work? Maybe on his free time he should visit a grown up store and buy a grown up tie.

  17. arcaero says: Jan 25, 2011 10:49 AM

    Sounds to me like he wanted to get fired.

  18. scytherius says: Jan 25, 2011 10:58 AM

    While I am sure there are those in GB who would argue with me, I am THE biggest Packer fan in the history of the franchise. I was at the Ice Bowl for God’s sake.

    The idiot should have removed the tie. Of course it would cost the business money both in the short and long term.

  19. Beer Cheese Soup says: Jan 25, 2011 11:00 AM

    Michael David Smith says:

    But it all ended well for Stone, who told Patrick that he already has a new job, at a Chevy dealership.
    _____________

    Never mind the tie, THAT is where Mr. Stone went wrong.

    What better way to get back at the Chicago than to sit at home, watch the Packers, and collect the lucrative unemployment package that the city’s highest-ranking former resident created?

    That would have shown those Bears fans…

  20. shallowfan says: Jan 25, 2011 11:02 AM

    I’m sure his boss explained to him the reason why he couldn’t wear the tie and he decided to wear it anyway. That is just plain dumb. I don’t think I would want that kind of person working for me. It’s not just about a tie like everyone is saying. If I go into a car dealer on Sunday in Chicago and I see the salesman wearing a GB tie I’m leaving…plain and simple because obviously that dealership has no respect for the city…

    It might be just a game, but 55 million ppl watch it on TV for a reason. Sports teams do mean that much to a city…especially Chicago.

  21. BernardPollardIsAnAss says: Jan 25, 2011 11:05 AM

    Yeah, that is just dumb. You get paid to be there. They can tell you what to wear, espcially if it affects your ability to do your job well.

  22. buckybadger says: Jan 25, 2011 11:05 AM

    This is childish. I love my Packers as much as anyone but I am also an adult when someone else has another team. The employer was right to not take off the tie and this won’t end well for the car dealership. Anyone who is offended by a person wearing a tie of another team has the maturity of a 10 year old and should be the one terminated. What other stupid grudges is he going to hold?

  23. ohioraider says: Jan 25, 2011 11:06 AM

    Now if only Browns fans would fire people for wearing Steelers clothes. They over run Ohio

  24. armchairgm9 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:06 AM

    Every Packer fan in Chicago should go buy their car from this guy. His previous employer would be ticked.

  25. buckybadger says: Jan 25, 2011 11:07 AM

    @kleppnasty, people wears those ties to work all the time. I have seen every profession from doctors to top business men doing it. All that ever happens is polite conversation about the sport when you are around grown ups.

  26. nopuntintended says: Jan 25, 2011 11:16 AM

    If your customers are the type of people who aren’t going to purchase a car because of a tie that a salesman is wearing, they’re not going to be easy people to deal with anyway, and are going to be more trouble than a single car sales are worth. The vast majority of adults in this world are reasonable enough to move on.

    Moreover, how much is the bottom line going to be effected from one days sales? In the grand scheme, really, next to none I’m sure.

    If the man wore the Packers tie PRIOR to the game, would he have got canned?

    I understand that it is within the managers rights to remove the employee from his employ based off the refusal to remove the tie request, however, maybe he should consider that his company’s name is being dragged through the mud now over an immature issue and that for many reasonable adults this would be more reason not to purchase a vehicle from these people than a salesman wearing a Packers tie.

  27. dvnelson72 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:16 AM

    Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall for the conversation with his wife when he got home?

  28. leroy36 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:16 AM

    As a Packer fan in Bears country – he should have removed the tie. I can’t count the number of times I’ve gone into stores wearing Packers clothing and had the clerks say “oh, ugly shirt”. If it happens more than once, I definitely have a talk with the manager. That old saying “the customer is always right” has certainly fallen by the wayside.

  29. dvnelson72 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:19 AM

    BTW, memo to the guy who got fired:

    Employees have to eat excrement sandwiches from time to time just to stay employed.

    Service based self employed people (CPA, attorney, marketing, etc) have to eat excrement sandwiches from time to time to keep clients.

    It’s part of life that we all get to deal with. You made a dumb decision.

    If I were a Bears fan, lived in the area, and needed a car, I would be first in line to buy one where you used to work.

  30. alewatcher says: Jan 25, 2011 11:19 AM

    Most people are employees-at-will, which means you can quit for any reason and at any time. It also means your boss can fire you for pretty much any reason, short of discriminatory practices (age, sex, etc.) If you disobey a direct order, you are insubordinate and deserve to be fired.

  31. PCa Survivor says: Jan 25, 2011 11:22 AM

    The good news is that he’s got a new job.

    The bad news is it’s still at a Chevy dealer.

  32. richm2256 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:29 AM

    It’s always a good idea – especially in a horrendous economy in which jobs are scarce and people aren’t buying cars – to piss off your boss on ANY issue.

    Moron picked a tie over his obligation to his family.

    Who’s the idiot at the Chevy store that thought hiring this idiot was a good idea?

  33. steelersmichele says: Jan 25, 2011 11:30 AM

    I wear my Steelers jersey every Friday to work (in Baltimore) and all I get is some good-natured teasing from my co-workers who are Ravens fans.

    When I go shopping, I’m faced buying things from people wearing Ravens gear all the time–it doesn’t stop me from shopping or from them selling it to me.

    Maybe it’s because Ravens fans and Steelers fans are mature adults and the car boss is a jerk who didn’t know how to manipulate the situation in his favor. Seriously, if he was smart he would have sent all non-bears fans that guys way and made it into a great marketing scheme.

  34. richm2256 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:31 AM

    armchairgm9 says:
    Every Packer fan in Chicago should go buy their car from this guy.
    —————————————————————
    They both drive Honda’s

  35. Amadeus says: Jan 25, 2011 11:40 AM

    Next thing you know you’ll get canned for eating a brat and drinking Old Milwaukee.

  36. cintiphil says: Jan 25, 2011 11:41 AM

    Am I the only one thing straight here? This guy is a bozo, no doubt, but the news is that even morons can get justice. Why haven’t the ambulance chasers contacted him on a law suit for infringing on his RIGHTS? Even idiots have rights. I think this is worth at least a couple of Mil, if the moron with coffee in her lap is worth 300 g’s. It will cause him anguish for the rest of his life. Oh wait, this is Chicago. If he sues, he might find himself in the Chi. river or lake Mi.

    Nevermind….

  37. kc4life7 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:44 AM

    As a Packer fan in Bears country – he should have removed the tie. I can’t count the number of times I’ve gone into stores wearing Packers clothing and had the clerks say “oh, ugly shirt”. If it happens more than once, I definitely have a talk with the manager. That old saying “the customer is always right” has certainly fallen by the wayside.

    __________________________________

    This is exactly why people think America has become soft. Someone gives you a hard time about your Packers gear IN CHICAGO and you go to the manager? Quit whining and just say something back to them. It’s just for fun. Quit taking yourself so serious.

  38. lennydpocketqb says: Jan 25, 2011 11:46 AM

    Bears fans… Morons.

  39. stetai says: Jan 25, 2011 11:51 AM

    I love hearing these constant stories of disrespect to Packer fans around the country. I wish Packer fans would realize how everyone looks down on them as the biggest yokels in all of sports.

    I can’t think of a stupider representation of supporting your team than wearing a giant block of cheese on your head. On principal alone, you should all get at least one punch in the stomach.

  40. FoozieGrooler says: Jan 25, 2011 11:51 AM

    That car salesman just became the owner of that car dealership.

  41. radrntn says: Jan 25, 2011 11:54 AM

    whats the point, he deserved to get fired…good luck on finding a new job in this economy chessehead, esepecially when you can’t close a door. Because if you were a closer the boss would have bought you a tie.

  42. vadertime says: Jan 25, 2011 11:54 AM

    This is stupidity at it’s max. If people are so pissed off that they won’t buy a care from a guy wearing a Packer’s tie, they need help. I am glad he got a new job, but it’s too bad he’s still working for a Chevy dealership, pushing those cheaply-made, hunks of junk on the public.

  43. bcknights says: Jan 25, 2011 11:55 AM

    so if the Bears would of won. Would it be ok to wear the Packer tie? Let the guy wear the tie. Stop being a baby. And I hate the Packers

  44. gergie1957 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:56 AM

    Being a Packers fan and wearing a packer tie to work at a Chicago car dealership shows poor judgment on two levels. ” You’re Fired”

  45. radrntn says: Jan 25, 2011 11:56 AM

    oh and by the way he failed to mention that he now has to commute to the chevy dealership in Madison to work.

  46. eaglesdynasty says: Jan 25, 2011 11:56 AM

    stupid on both sides imo

  47. silkyjohnson937 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:58 AM

    I know a person who worked for pepsi walked in drinking a coke and lost their job, I also know a person who worked for miller and their boss seen them at a bar drinking a budweiser while he was in his work uniform and he got fired. This guy was at least given an option to remove his tie its not like they were trying to control what he eats/drinks

  48. stuckonwords says: Jan 25, 2011 11:59 AM

    nopunintended: You’re missing the point. It’s really not about how many cars they would or would not sell that day. It’s about a man running a company and spending many years trying to build an image and reputation. That tie goes directly against one of his biggest strategies: “We’re the official car dealership of the Chicago Bears”. It costs a ton of money to do that, but it’s an expense he’s chosen to take on because of the value it brings in return. The Chicago fans hear ads for that claim to fame constantly. How much sense would it make to have those fans walk in the door and see one of the salesmen wearing a Green Bay tie? It undermines the entire point of creating that (expensive) image.

  49. drbob117 says: Jan 25, 2011 12:05 PM

    Since most jobs are “at will” arrangements, the guy has the right to fire anyone he wants , but I’m not sure that Roberts guy did Webb Chevrolet any favors. Instead of having a few customers notice that he was wearing a Packers tie, and maybe in the worst case scenario, the Bears find out about it and complain; he created a national story which makes him look like a petty idiot. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the guy got another job right away, the guy that hired him was probably more focused on whether he was a talented enough salesman to sell cars , and since it was also a Chevy dealership, the new employer probably felt it was a no brainer. If I were that guy, I would help my new salesman to do everything in his power to out sell the other dealership, because I’m sure he now has the motivation.

  50. moezilla says: Jan 25, 2011 12:09 PM

    Hey, am I the only one here that is completely shocked that a Packer fan actually knew how to tie…a tie?

    Maybe it was a clip-on.

  51. tbssic says: Jan 25, 2011 12:10 PM

    The tie is a symbol……
    And if it upsets you,,,,, you are symbol minded….

  52. sean6886 says: Jan 25, 2011 12:25 PM

    This is a job. You can’t just fire someone for dressing innappropriately, unless the rules of the job/company are well documented. Then you go through the steps of write-ups, etc. Think about it, if you wore a blue shirt and your boss hated blue, should you be fired for that? I’m all about team and I wear my teams colors at my job on Fridays, because I’m allowed and I can’t be fired. Last year, when Ohio State played Oregon in the Rose Bowl, I wore my Ohio colors while everyone else here wore their Duck colors (can you tell I live in Oregon). I never got fired. I got some dirty looks and a few call-outs but I never got fired.

  53. dchuwo says: Jan 25, 2011 12:26 PM

    On the one hand, probably an overreaction and how crazy and loyal we sports fans are. On the other, I can see the dealership’s point if it’s paying big money as a Bears sponsor.

    Personally, I think the guy should have worn a Cutler jersey. What’s the outcome then?

  54. realitypolice says: Jan 25, 2011 12:27 PM

    Two innocuous comments pulled off of here today. No cursing, no personal attacks against PFT personnel, nothing.

    Can someone tell me what is going on around here?

  55. gbfanforever says: Jan 25, 2011 12:33 PM

    If this involved, lets say politics, and the person getting fired was wearing something advertising right wing hysteria (no 9-11 community center for example), we would be facing a deluge of comments talking about free speech being trampled in our country. How so many people are saying the guy got what he deserved for something so benign in comparison is sort of sad.

  56. contra74 says: Jan 25, 2011 12:35 PM

    Hmmm…I see a trend here:

    Bullet holes at Lambeau Fields Atrium.
    Packers fans get their cars bashed in at Philly.
    Packers fans get beat up in Chicago.
    Packer fan loses job over a tie.

    I am now further convinced that Packer fans are the ones brewing the trouble for themselves. Their sense of entitlement from games won back when players wore leather helmets has gotten them into some trouble and we are to feel sorry for them? No wonder they are looked down upon across the country. How about be a smarter fanbase and dont piss off others!?

  57. omegalh says: Jan 25, 2011 12:35 PM

    already has a job? that guy wanted to get fired. He pulled a Costanza.

  58. godofwine330 says: Jan 25, 2011 12:37 PM

    He’ll sue and he’ll win. I swear, people take sports too far.

  59. laeaglefan says: Jan 25, 2011 12:37 PM

    “I can’t think of a stupider representation of supporting your team than wearing a giant block of cheese on your head”

    Is that any worse than the Redskins fans wearing a huge pig’s nose, representing the “Hogs” back in the 1980s, or whenever that was?

    Both of those things are totally assinine, if you ask me.

  60. dchuwo says: Jan 25, 2011 12:38 PM

    Stetai,

    Thanks for your kind words. However, you forgot to mention that we Packer fans, “around the country” are also drunk, overweight slobs so punching our stomachs won’t do you much good.

    By the way, you can pump gas with the best of ‘em. Go Pack Go!!!

  61. filthymcnasty1 says: Jan 25, 2011 12:45 PM

    I think they should have fired the GM. Obviously they sponsored the wrong team.

  62. huskerguy says: Jan 25, 2011 12:52 PM

    Glad he didn’t wear a Cutler tie, the dealer would have blogged about it and then burned it… hopefully not around his neck.

  63. firstclasspack says: Jan 25, 2011 12:53 PM

    I personally would not hesitate to buy a car from a salesman wearing a tie of a rival team, but on the outside chance that just 1 person might not have purchased a vehicle he should not have worn it.
    The dealership is not saying he has to drive a Chevy or wear a Bears tie, just don’t give any customer any excuse to walk out. Each sale is money for the business that pays your salary.

  64. uswiggies says: Jan 25, 2011 12:55 PM

    If the dealership was that darn (curse) famous and such a large sponsor, the owner should have bought all the employees Bear uniforms! If sales were that crucial that a GB tie wearer could affect it, then I guess his sponsorship is seriously lacking which would lend to possibility of his needing this media coverage because he thinks Bear supports will run down and buy a new Chevy to support him. NOT. What a moron. I bet employers would think twice about stupid stuff (curse) like this if we all started to stand our ground, then they would have to change that “at will” crap (curse).

  65. hatesycophants says: Jan 25, 2011 12:56 PM

    @realitypolice,

    You and I don’t always agree, but you’re spot on. They seem to be pulling comments based exclusively upon whether they agree with them. Gutless freaks.

    The sissification of the American male (and female) continues unabated.

    It’s a freaking tie!

  66. joetoronto says: Jan 25, 2011 12:58 PM

    Stone told the Dan Patrick Show that if he could do it all over again, “I wouldn’t have worn it all.”

    Too late, chooch.

  67. frankvzappa says: Jan 25, 2011 1:04 PM

    at least he didnt wear a tie criticizing the government, because the SS would have shown up and thrown him into a dungeon never to be heard from again…hope you enjoyed your rights while you had them, america

  68. keith0104 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:08 PM

    so much immaturity among the chicago faithful. their quarterback is perfect for the city and the team. grow up people!

  69. filthymcnasty1 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:09 PM

    Obviously the guy was hell bent on getting fired. And if he really wanted to quit that bad he should have worn his Cutler jersey.

  70. nopuntintended says: Jan 25, 2011 1:11 PM

    @stuckonwords:

    You miss the point. His story is now national media coverage. There are more people in Chicago (like any major city) that don’t care about football than do care about football. It may be massively popular, but that’s going to be the case regardless of what city you’re in.

    Now this guy’s business has been look a fool because he fired someone over their choice of tie and they’re love for a football team. Rational adults will think it’s immature, and will deal with other companies. People who don’t care about football will think it’s immature, and deal with other companies.

    The guy already has a new job, so no skin off his back, and his previous employer looks like a tool to any rational adult on the planet who places decency well above one’s choice of tie.

    “Official sponsor of the Chicago Bears” is now “Biggest Douche in the Universe” in the eyes of mature people everywhere. Well played.

  71. dmitchell624 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:11 PM

    richm2256 says:
    Jan 25, 2011 11:31 AM
    armchairgm9 says:
    Every Packer fan in Chicago should go buy their car from this guy.
    —————————————————————
    They both drive Honda’s

    And they are both driving it to Dallas to watch the Super Bowl.

    Also, I read in the Chicago Tribune, he wore the tie to honor his grandmother who was a huge Packer fan and she passed away on January 21st. So I think he should have been cut some slack.

  72. nopuntintended says: Jan 25, 2011 1:13 PM

    Their* love for a football team.

  73. bigbluefan1 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:19 PM

    Lets see wear a tie or keep my job????

    Can you see this guy telling his family hey I got fired for wear a packers tie at a car dealer that sponsors the bears.
    If I was the owner I would have him wear a bears tie you do what you got to do to do business
    What an ahole

    Do people still buy Chevy’s?

    I have had employees come to work wearing hats or tee-shirts I found to be in poor taste and told them change it take it off or go home. No one has gone home yet guess a pay check means more in the North East

    A bussiness owner has some say left in this country not much but some.

  74. upperdecker19 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:20 PM

    If the people of Chicago primarily base their car buying preferences upon the attire of the salesman, it may just go to show what a “savey” group of consumers they are.

  75. goforthanddie says: Jan 25, 2011 1:29 PM

    I’m pretty sure this cat would have a nice case for wrongful termination should he decide to go for it. Unless the dress code specifically forbids non-losers ties.

  76. contra74 says: Jan 25, 2011 1:31 PM

    dmitchell624 says:
    Jan 25, 2011 1:11 PM
    richm2256 says:
    Jan 25, 2011 11:31 AM
    armchairgm9 says:
    Every Packer fan in Chicago should go buy their car from this guy.
    —————————————————————
    They both drive Honda’s

    And they are both driving it to Dallas to watch the Super Bowl.

    Also, I read in the Chicago Tribune, he wore the tie to honor his grandmother who was a huge Packer fan and she passed away on January 21st. So I think he should have been cut some slack.
    ———–
    Regardless of why he wore it, the decision set forth by the general manager was all his. HE listed to his options and HE chose.

  77. Robert says: Jan 25, 2011 1:49 PM

    Wonder why America is falling like Rome?

    In this economy–and many people out of work and losing homes-this guy fires a guy for wearing a Packer Tie in Bear Country??

  78. sammyvee says: Jan 25, 2011 1:58 PM

    To be honest, wearing the tie gives the wrong impression, regardless of which logo is on the tie. People like to buy cars from grown ups. What is the last thing we hear before making our decision to write that check? “Trust me, this is a great deal.”

    “Sorry, dude. I don’t trust you. You are a grown man wearing a tie that has team logo on it. “

  79. hobartbaker says: Jan 25, 2011 2:11 PM

    Stone relocated to Osh Kosh Wi., where he will sell Packards.

  80. gamustangdude says: Jan 25, 2011 2:19 PM

    nopuntintended says:
    Jan 25, 2011 1:11 PM
    @stuckonwords:

    You miss the point. His story is now national media coverage. There are more people in Chicago (like any major city) that don’t care about football than do care about football. It may be massively popular, but that’s going to be the case regardless of what city you’re in.

    Now this guy’s business has been look a fool because he fired someone over their choice of tie and they’re love for a football team. Rational adults will think it’s immature, and will deal with other companies. People who don’t care about football will think it’s immature, and deal with other companies.

    The guy already has a new job, so no skin off his back, and his previous employer looks like a tool to any rational adult on the planet who places decency well above one’s choice of tie.

    “Official sponsor of the Chicago Bears” is now “Biggest Douche in the Universe” in the eyes of mature people everywhere. Well played.

    ________________________________

    You’re wrong, thanks for the strong opinion but you’re wrong. It’s simple, really simple. The Boss told him to take the tie off REGARDLESS OF THE RESONS, the boss told him to do something and he didn’t do it. If he was in the military, I would be taken away his money amongst other things.

    In your eyes he’s been looked a fool, maybe others, but in most eyes, (I’m pretty sure more than you think), think it’s justified.

    It makes perfect since to me, if I work at Coke, I have no business walking around with a Pepsi tie on. Similar case here, a large part of their business is brought in by the Bears organization, why would I, being the manager, condone someone wearing a Packers Tie? It makes no since, glad the guy found a job, however he deserved to be fired for being that immature in the first place.

  81. nflwatcher says: Jan 25, 2011 2:20 PM

    He should have milked his 15 minutes of fame and moved to GB. People would have stood in line for a chance to buy a car from a guy who got fired for wearing his GB tie.

  82. mvp43 says: Jan 25, 2011 2:32 PM

    Only car salesmen & copy machine guys where ties with sports teams on them…

  83. jc1958coo says: Jan 25, 2011 2:33 PM

    i hope he said, da bearssssss still suck before he left!! right is right!!!!!!!!!!!! lmao

  84. upperdecker19 says: Jan 25, 2011 2:34 PM

    Car purchase criteria in Chicagoland…

    1. Like the make/model of the car
    2. Agree to fair price
    3. Receive 5 year 100,000 mile warranty
    4. Get some stupid undercarriage rust protection thrown in
    5. Regardless of all the above being in the consumer’s favor…..salesman wearing Packer tie = deal off.

    Shrewd

  85. tiffpats4eva says: Jan 25, 2011 2:35 PM

    Packer fans are starting to become little whiny victims. They should be enjoying this not whining about it.

  86. 1phd says: Jan 25, 2011 2:48 PM

    Stone told the Dan Patrick Show that if he could do it all over again, “I wouldn’t have worn it all.”
    I guess that means he would have just worn the bottom half?

  87. cesquire says: Jan 25, 2011 3:35 PM

    What is not clear is how many cars this guy had sold. Neither the salesperson or the manager brought it up, which leads me to believe is performance was just average.

    Had he been a “rain man” (made it rain with sales) and a major source or revenue for the dealership, I don’t think a tie some customers might not like would be an issue.

  88. no1billsfan says: Jan 25, 2011 3:40 PM

    The Manager should have let the clown wear his Packers tie. Then, the Manager could wear a Steelers tie on February 7th.

  89. rbrow018 says: Jan 25, 2011 3:42 PM

    Maybe the bears offense should all get fired for failing to show up to work on Sunday

  90. hokiez says: Jan 25, 2011 3:57 PM

    The dealership is an official sponser of the Bears. I think the manager gave the employee the opportunity to take off the tie and was told what woudl happen if he didn’t do it. He mage his own choice and has ot live with the consequence.

    If it wasn’t for the sponsorship, I would side with the employee.

    By the way, really buddy?!?! They weren’t making you wear a Bears tie, were they? How hard is it to take off a tie for a job?

  91. nopuntintended says: Jan 25, 2011 4:09 PM

    @gamustangdude:

    Regardless of reason the boss says jump and you say how high? What year do you live in, 1920? It’s not the military, it’s Chevy. If a boss told a female employee to unbutton another button because it would help sales, would that be okay just because it helps sales and the boss says so?

    Even still – sexual harassment suit aside from the above example – if you had read my previous post you’d see that I did say that (I thought, or think) it was within the managers rights in his mind to fire this man for insubordination. Whether he has a case for wrongful dismissal is best left to lawyers to decide, given that there doesn’t seem to be a regimented dress code so much as a contrary boss that his team got ousted.

    Just because you CAN do something doesn’t make it the right thing to do. I can put boogers on the wall of my own house, but my friends might not like it when they come over – it doesn’t matter, it’s my house, but people can stop visiting.

    There’s no proof anywhere that this man receives any revenue from the “Bears organization” at all as indicated in your post. Quite the opposite in fact, he tries to cash in on the organization by paying plenty of money to be an “official sponsor” and hopes that this will bring fans in the door by getting his name mentioned at the same time as the organization. He should perhaps set mandates for his employees dress-code PRIOR to the start of the work day, however, if he doesn’t want them to wear clothing issued by another club.

    The bottom line of the issue is that this guy got fired because the boss feared that a Packers tie was going to result in a hit on the sales, but what’s happened is that his company name has been dragged through the national media is going to accomplish EXACTLY what he was fearful of doing. It’s even being reported on the Madden11 ticker today that this particular car dealership has fired a man for wearing a Packers tie for his dead grandmother. THAT is bad for business.

    See what hits the bottom line more, regardless of whether he was allowed or not allowed to fire the man, which again can be decided by lawyers should the man choose to pursue such a course. I’m not a lawyer and in turn don’t know if it was or was not within his rights, but I am a rational human being who would not choose (a) a car dealer based solely on his choice of tie or (b) to purchase a car from a company who is crude enough to fire a man because of his choice of tie.

    There’s no way it’s good for business when:

    Webb Chevrolet fires man for wearing Packers tie in memory of his dead grandmother.

    Is flashing across headlines.

  92. southbeachtalent says: Jan 25, 2011 4:31 PM

    Green Bay SLACKERS!

  93. gamustangdude says: Jan 25, 2011 5:27 PM

    The bottom line of the issue is that this guy got fired because the boss feared that a Packers tie was going to result in a hit on the sales, but what’s happened is that his company name has been dragged through the national media is going to accomplish EXACTLY what he was fearful of doing. It’s even being reported on the Madden11 ticker today that this particular car dealership has fired a man for wearing a Packers tie for his dead grandmother. THAT is bad for business.

    ________________________________

    Where’s your proof. Prove to all of us that this will negatively impact his business solely based on what I see is just your opinion. YOU think he will lose business? That’s great, but just because you think it, doesn’t mean that it will happen. It could help his business out as well. BTW, sexual harassment is against Military policy, military are always taught to obey all LAWFUL orders, If I told someone to take their shirt off (in your example), that’s not a lawful order, so the person could plain and simple say No and not get into any trouble, nice try. I laugh at commenter’s like you who try to justify assumptions as facts. Keep trying. Personally I could give two rocks if that guy got fired for wearing a tie, that’s not going to change anywhere I decide to buy a car. However being a Bears Fan and having a salesmen walk up to me wearing a packers tie, I could see why people would try another location. Now, am I in the majority or minority? Hmm… You think later, I don’t.

    Wrongful termination? That will not hold up very long, Boss tells me to do something and I didn’t do it, he fires me. How is that wrongful termination?

  94. jarrman46 says: Jan 25, 2011 11:06 PM

    Listen I love the Packers but this guy was just being a smart #ss. If the roles were reversed and the Bears had won and showed up for work in Wisconsin with a Bears tie on. I would buy a car from him and then run him over.

  95. 1historian says: Jan 26, 2011 7:09 AM

    I live in New England and am a Patriot fan and a Packer fan – I’d pick the Pats in a game between them. My favorite ball cap is a plain denim green cap with GB on it. I get compliments on it here and in Indiana and Kentucky when I visit. I like it because it’s just a plain cap – nothing fancy, I like the Packers organization, I like the pack because they and the Bears were there when this whole thing started, and I like it because $5 of the purchase price goes to support needy military families.

    The guy who wouldn’t change his tie is a doofus. How long did it take him to call the press and make a story out of this?

    Brace yourselves folks – this is just the beginning of the dumbest two weeks of the journalistic year.

    And that is saying a LOT.

  96. 1historian says: Jan 26, 2011 7:12 AM

    If I lived in Chicago (Grace a Dieu I don’t) and if I wanted a new chevy (never happen!) I would go there FIRST, because I would know that this guy wasn’t there.

    How did this story get into the paper? I’ll be a shekel or two that this doofus called the press.

  97. theoriginalcaptainmarvel says: Jan 26, 2011 12:32 PM

    He’s an idiot and deserved to be fired. Yet another thing for Packers fans to whine about.

  98. lisaharley says: Jan 29, 2011 11:13 PM

    Thank God for people like John Stone, who has the integrity to stand up for what he believes in and a HUGE BOO, to someone like Jerry Roberts who has the utter gall to fire him just because of his preferences.

    Would he fire a person because of his sexual preferences too, or because of his skin color? I’m beginning to think so, this is so wrong, and anyone who backs this is too.

    My husband and I have been looking to buy a new car and we definitely won’t be going to Webb Chevrolet to get it, but we will be writing a very long letter to the main headquarters to file a complaint about this, PLUS we will be searching to find out exactly where Mr. Stone got a new job, because they need to be congratulated on having such a high quality employee.

    I really feel sorry for anyone who works for such a bigoted man, I hope his business goes downhill because of this…and I’m a Bears fan.

  99. deconjonesbitchslap says: Jan 30, 2011 2:05 PM

    my tie caught on fire once and some jackass tried to put it out with an axe.

    -rd

  100. pervyharvin says: Jan 30, 2011 6:43 PM

    None of this really matters anyway.

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