Bearded Professor Claims He Was Fired From Christian College Because Brewery Used His Image on Can
Professor Paul Roof claims he was fired from Charleston Southern University, a Christian college affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist convention, because his image was used on a beer can. The professor has a noticeable beard, which made for good advertising for Holy City Brewing.
"It's been an emotional roller-coaster," Roof told NBC News 2. "My image and likeness, which I do not own, that I've never received compensation for, and it was a surprise for me, that it was put on a beer can by Holy City Brewing."
Roof's beard caused quite a stir, and a friend took professional photographs of it at a beard and mustache competition. He had no idea that it was on the beer can until it was too late and the can was already in production. Roof says he should not be punished for the unauthorized use of his photograph.
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"I was given an email message early this week," Roof said. "I met with my dean Wednesday, and my answers were sufficient for him … but on Friday, I was called into the VP's office, and that's where I was terminated. I was told that it was not representative of a Christian environment. And for me a Christian environment entails two things: looking out for other people and forgiveness of others who've transgressed you."
Phil Olsen, a lawyer and the organizer of beard championships, told the Daily Mail that Roof should not be fired because he was merely participating in a competition at the time, and that's not his "normal" style.
"In some ways, it's the same as wearing a Halloween costume," Olsen said. "It's not what Paul normally looks like."
Roof and Holy City Brewing have teamed up to use the can with his image for charity. Proceeds from the sale of the beer will benefit Lowcountry Women with Wings, which is part of the Center for Women in Charleston that helps women with ovarian cancer. So far Roof's friends and followers have raised over $3,000 for the organization.
