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Pearl can take the heat - and jokes - at roast

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 11:45 p.m., May 8, 2008
Updated 11:45 p.m., May 8, 2008

Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl has spent the majority of his life making others laugh, but Thursday night the tables were turned on him.

Pearl was roasted by a host of local celebrities at a $200-a-plate benefit held for the Volunteer Ministry Center at Knoxville Convention Center.

The center is raising money for a new building being constructed on Broadway. The center's mission is to take homeless people off the streets and get them into housing. In 2007, the Volunteer Ministry placed 77 homeless people into housing.

Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam served as master of ceremonies.

"It's great that Bruce shows up for big events like this, but he also shows up for benefits where there are only 10 people there,'' Haslam said. "Very few people have taken this town the way Bruce has.''

Dane Bradshaw, one of the biggest fan favorites to play for Pearl, recently finished his first pro season in Holland and was on hand to roast his former coach.

"People always ask if I'm going to come back to UT and get into coaching,'' Bradshaw said. "I had a great opportunity to learn under such a great instructor, disciplinarian and teacher of the game … but we're not here to talk about Pat Summitt tonight.''

Bradshaw said he felt real good about the $100,000 scholarship Pearl endowed in his name, and joked that Steven Pearl, the coach's son, was the first recipient.

Bradshaw's pokes at Pearl were among many that drew laughter from the crowd of about 400.

Associate head coach Tony Jones revealed that Pearl was once known as "Cadillac'' Pearl for his habit of renting the large luxury car on recruiting trips to impress prospects.

Summitt also had her fun, playfully second-guessing Pearl's style of not calling timeouts.

"I figure at being 31-5 (36 games), that this year he took home an average of two (unused) timeouts per game, which would add up to 72 timeouts for his young men to rest,'' Summitt said. "Do you think that would have helped them?''

Bob Kesling, the voice of the Vols, put together a video montage of Pearl losing his clothes, his body sweat and his composure.

"I call it the wide world of Pearl,'' Kesling said. "It's the thrill of victory, and the thrill of 'what the hell is he gonna do next?' ''

Former UT player and Kesling's radio partner Bert Bertelkamp was one of many who made light of Pearl's pending raise, which is expected to lift his pay to around $2 million annually.

"Bruce spends countless hours speaking to student groups, including standing on tables in dormitory cafeterias, constantly urging them to please come see the basketball team play,'' Bertelkamp said. "This year you can expect to see Bruce promoting student attendance at football games, since the students are now having to buy their (football) tickets to help pay his salary.''

UT football coach Phillip Fulmer had a memorial service to attend and couldn't make the ceremony, but Fulmer sent a message via video.

Fulmer recalled one basketball game he was sitting behind UT's bench when Pearl addressed him.

"I did find it interesting one game when you turned to me and said, very honestly, 'This stuff is really hard when they expect you to win,' '' Fulmer said. "Well, welcome to the club big boy.

"I think you have learned to sweat gracefully.''

That was certainly the case for Pearl at Thursday night's roast, and all for a good cause.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       96 Comments

Posted by eVOLution on May 9, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That was classic by Bradshaw.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That was so odd, I was sitting here thinking as I read the article: Does Coach ever just like to sit and watch when both teams are playing well??

That's a question I'd love to see him answer.

This will sound silly to some of you, but there are timss when basketball is like a well-scripted ballet: everyone is doing their jobs, no fouls, no turnovers, good shooting.....by both teams, and it is really fun to watch.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've got to add another part: another of my favorite sports events is to watch a REALLLY good defense play. Florida against OSU was a good example.

Another was UT against Ark this year.

For a whole season, 2 D's stand out: UT's 1985 team that trashed Miami, and the Bama team that won the NC when Jay Barker was QB.

Posted by BillVol on May 9, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, what is your point?

Posted by bamacheats on May 9, 2008 at 1:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker - is that really you Ramar?

Posted by jimr07 on May 9, 2008 at 5:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker--i really did not understand your post. is there a message there?

Posted by oldvolsfan on May 9, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

parker has no point.

Posted by oldvolsfan on May 9, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

parker has no point.

Posted by oldvolsfan on May 9, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

parker has no point

Posted by volwalk on May 9, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

roast>>mparker

Posted by UTfan4life on May 9, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker--
what?

Posted by schymtz on May 9, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We get the point!

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

doldrumzzzzzzz

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on May 9, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And FOOLMORE couldn't be there, imagine that!

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on May 9, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, don't give me FOOLMORE was at a memorial service. Like anyone has never said there grandparents passed away to get out of anything.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hmm, sorry, forgot audiecne that lurks here.

okay, here we go, rw-written for you 'special' ones.
------------------------------
I really enjoy watching the following:
a) well-played basketball
b) good football defense

I would be curious to know if Coach Bruce Pearl, the U. of Tennessee men's basketball coach, ever just sits back in a well-played game and simply enjoys the game for a while.
------------------------------
Sigh.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.

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Posted by Hotllama2 on May 9, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker - I love how you act like we're the "special" ones. You're the guy who randomly interjected the '85 UT team that "trashed" Miami and Bama with Jay Barker. WTF? First, this article is on basketball. Second, don't ever come on here and give Bama props again.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hotllanta2:
do what I please, dude. you care to try to enforce it otherwise??

Posted by tnbanker_govols on May 9, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thoroughly enjoyed the part where Fulmer was welcoming Pearl to the so called "club." Dang Phil, Pearl's been there for a while....where are you at?

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

oh, and hotlanta2:
the whole point of what I posted was about the enoyment of watching high-quality play. sorry to offend your friggin' hatreds, as I am a UT fan first and an SEC fan second.

But, to repeat, don't EVER think you will intimidate me into posing to freaking please someone like you.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tnbanker:
Phil is on the watch list for expulsinon. I like Phil, but he has struggled lately and it is NOT getting any easier.

Everyone in the SEC is getting serious on the football and basketball programs.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Silent_never do good, 10:13 am, please read the article on John Stuckey.

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A bit off-topic here, but anyone else notice that Kentucky offered a basketball scholarship to AN EIGHTH GRADER?!?!
That reeks of desperation.

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Silent_Fulmer"-- did it ever occur to you that you're a moronic jerk?

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/m...

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

careful spam, several of the posters in this particular thread have great trouble with 'off-topic'. Some of them should be threatening you shortly.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

spam, concerning the 8th-grader...there are women's teams doing that too. Iowa State offered 2 kids in the eighth grade a year or so ago.

Seems to me a huge risk. There are TONS of kids who are great at 14 and then don't grow or develop their game past that point. In other words, they are technically and physically advanced at 14, but then everyone catches up or blows by.

Sure, there are the Labron James out there, but there are also the Kwame Brown's.

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs_vol-- you mean it isn't steve spurrier?

Posted by Laydbakvol on May 9, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you know that if you take "Bruce Pearl" and assign the numerical values of 1-10 to each letter, square the even ones, throw out the ones that end in 5 (number of games TN lost), take the total and divide by 31 (number of games TN won), Add 431 (Lofton's trey totals), reassign corresponding letters to each of the remainding 25 numbers you get "BruceAlmightyNCAAChampion" Is that weird or what?

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

spam: very clever :)

sphs_vol, I think you are kdding, so I'll kid you back;

there is a theory that the world ends in 2012, another theory says in 2029. If it worries you, Send all your money to me, and I'll give you a plastic bag, a chinese fortune cookie, and some duct tape.

Prohecy: someday, there'll be a war in the Middle East between two neighbors.

Prophecy 2: The world will end someday.

Prophecy 3: It will snow in Canada wnen it's cold enough.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs, don't get all worked up. He's just a guy. He plays basketball for fun. He screws up. His wife is smarter than he is.

All that doom prophecy crap is crap. the Bible writers where talking about Romans.

Teh world will end when it ends: the sun will go out, or maybe a comet will hit, or a galaxy will collide. All beyond your control, all beyond your time frame.

Relax and watch the Vols play football in about 4 months.

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There was also a prophecy of the anti christ appearing at the turn of the millennium and known by the letter "M". 8 years and counting or is should we take a closer look at McCain? j/k

Now back to the show.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs, whatever;

you are welcome to your beliefs, and the Buddhists have theirs, and the Jews, and the Muslims, and the Hindu's....believe what you want.

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: interesting. I guess.

Posted by magentatoes10 on May 9, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

don't ever blog again mparker. you suck

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:08 p.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:12 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40, don't bring logic onto this thread. It's been full of nastiness all day, so why spoil the fun??

btw, heard that white litnium grease is useful on garage doors. Just thought I'd be 'ramdon'.

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:16 p.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:20 p.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40, do you think overrated and mcbrim could be RIGHT about our fan base?? I'm really beginning to wonder.

Posted by overatedvols on May 9, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey what is this gibberish? Let's get back to the main topic here.
Tigers are better than the Vols.

Posted by dave1 on May 9, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fritter spelled backwards is Rettirf. Now what would that possible mean?

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs_vols: Is that conspiracy being planned on a grassy knoll?

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dave1: endtimes.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Never said I was an atheist.

Millions of muslims would argue with you over Muhammad being a prophet. They also believe Jesus was a prophet. And, believe it or not, they worship the same one God Christians do. BTW, so do Catholics.

No body has believed in multiple gods since the Romans and Greeks.

Revelation: to reveal. To whom was it revealed? To St. John the Divine. A human being. By an angel. Same with Muhammad.

Not arguing which is right or wrong. Just drawing a parallel.

Mparker, read somewhere that if you rotate your tires they'll last longer.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dave1, means Shields Watkins needs to be resodded.

Posted by dave1 on May 9, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ: Could be. I believe it points to Retief Goosen being involved in the JFK plot. Rettirf is pretty darn close to Retief!

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

overrated, bricks are better than refried beans.

Posted by dave1 on May 9, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40: LOL! Now I think I like your theory better. Although Retief Goosen has been known to be on a grassy knoll or 2.

Posted by overatedvols on May 9, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if anyone eluded to Bruce Almighty's womanizing and failed attempts to flirt with female sports reporters during the halftime of games. Wonder if there was any referrals to the current state of the team, drug users being dismissed and rappers coming in.

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40, I rotate my tires every time I drive :)

overrated: where is Derrick Rose going in the draft??? As you know, I'm a huge fan of that kid.

Dave1: wd is right, except I think they will put synturf instead of sod.

Tommy: exactly.

Posted by murrayvol on May 9, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

spambuster: Kentucky is never "off topic" when basketball is discussed.

What's even more amazing to me re: the 8th grade offer is that his family accepted. That reeks of delusion.

Posted by overatedvols on May 9, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well mparker, many think Rose will be the first pick in this years draft. Some say Beasley but most say Rose. I know Dwayne Wade is wanting Rose in Miami bad. Guess it just depends on the ping pong balls. Just have to wait and see.

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol-- I agree. I am a little surprised that there is no "official" link to the article on GVX.
Here's the link I saw:
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content...

Posted by murrayvol on May 9, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.

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Posted by brownsvillevol on May 9, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

murray overated can speak VOLumes of delusion.
mparker totally agree if you rotate your tires they will last longer.
sphs don' think you're the anti-christ but you sure are shallow minded.

Posted by murrayvol on May 9, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Think I'll take a little detour off the Hallelujah Trail while you folks work this out.

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Immanuel: Soooo, following your logic, the Jews worship a different God too, huh?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 9, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

None of this matters not, Pearl is a God! Book it!!!!!!

Posted by magentatoes10 on May 9, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, what's your name?

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.

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Posted by overatedvols on May 9, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whew.. Pearl is a God. This is why this site needs me. Too many delusional people here that can only see the world through orange eyes. You need to have someone on here with common sense to help keep you people straight. Someone who is unbiased in their opinions rather than all the rah rah go vols stuff.

Tigers are better than the Vols.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And whom would your recommend, Over?

Posted by thesavageorange on May 9, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GOD ,sits upon the big orange throne, and jesus owns an Al Wilson jersey.

Posted by mempuss on May 9, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

overated preys on young boys outside of the library

Posted by auttat on May 9, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tommyjack, you have to understand that there are a whole slew of people who think the world is 1ok years old, and that dinsaurs existed for just a brief period, if at all. They kind of have trouble explaining China, which has recorded history going back at least to 5,000 BCE.

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/200...

Posted by mparker on May 9, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs, don't get all worked up. He's just a guy. He plays basketball for fun. He screws up. His wife is smarter than he is.

All that doom prophecy crap is crap. the Bible writers where talking about Romans.

Teh world will end when it ends: the sun will go out, or maybe a comet will hit, or a galaxy will collide. All beyond your control, all beyond your time frame.

Relax and watch the Vols play football in about 4 months.

Just curious as to your beliefs? If you choose to do so, why would you deny what God offers you in Heaven? It's supposed to be glorious beyond all comprehension, seems like a pretty neat place to go. Or, once your time is up on earth, would you just prefer the lights to go out?

Not hatin, just curious.

Posted by THE_VOL on May 9, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This was a really great event and the entire house was laughing heartily most of the night. As I sat there listening and enjoying I thought to myself what a demonstration of commitment to community each of these participants made by being involved. We can all only hope that the benefit last night will aid in getting eb, newtonrail, marc_ash, mparker, Tommy Jack and several others off the streets and into housing!

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The_Vol: Pretty good company you're putting me in. Speaking only for myself, I must say I'm really impressed that you were there. Woo.

Posted by nafslov on May 9, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is Dane Bradshaw ? And what NBA team does he play for ? Typical wasted jersey who returns to campus to talk about "his heroics" ! ( Kinda like Larry Seivers and the Clausen brothers ) Go Vols !

Posted by UTVol39 on May 9, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.

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Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.

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Posted by murrayvol on May 9, 2008 at 10:50 p.m.

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Posted by jasvol on May 9, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm confused...I thought I logged onto the Govols website; but somehow I hit the Southern Baptist link. John Adams must be the instigator of this plot. That's it. JA is the Antichrist; since he's from Louisiana he's 'foreign'.

Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 12:48 a.m.

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Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol, 2 funny about the wicked witch.

Posted by bricker865 on May 10, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

overated..uh, i mean overrated....boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo

Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

auttat; no, I'm not into the wizardry/magic view of religion.

we could have a long discussion about it, but it is late and I'm tired. Let's just say I'm a scientist, and logically-oriented.

Posted by Razzle on May 10, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.

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Posted by kceltic on May 10, 2008 at 8:52 a.m.

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Posted by TommyJack on May 10, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The big eraser has struck!

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 10, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

doldrums = off topic = this comment was removed by the site staff.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 10, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Although curious that "darkredtoes" telling "you suck" to mparker stayed.

Posted by pdhuff on May 10, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The mighty moving eraser finger picks up speed during the doldrums.

No blips on the radar.

All sails are slack. Ennui.......

Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(This comment was not removed by the site staff, dang it).

Posted by mparker on May 10, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40, personal attacks are apparently okay.

That's cool, as I always know one thing: we entertain the heck out of pdhuff, general_fritter, and murray_vol, and that makes you feel like it's worth it. I think all are long-standing vol fans, as am I.

Posted by jasvol on May 10, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoever has the job of "mighty moving eraser finger" has a sorry job...A.M. hours. I must say I enjoyed the off topic of religion....the Tennessee United Nations.

Posted by jasvol on May 10, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, I just realized 'mighty moving eraser finger' removed a PREACHER'S comments...(IMMANUELCAN)! Well, that proves this newspaper is full of liberalist.

Posted by murrayvol on May 11, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ouch! My first comments ever removed by the Jolly Green Giant Eraser. I've seen worse, worser, and worsest but I suppose that's in the eye of the eraser.

In spite of all this I'll still get a good nights rest.

Posted by murrayvol on May 11, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I do have one concern. My comments were simply marked (removed....) Others disappeared as if they never existed. How's that work?

I hope those guys are okay.

Posted by TommyJack on May 11, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Murray: I got nicked, but still standing..

Posted by mparker on May 11, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

murray, I think they were.....SILENCED. best watch out from now on!

Posted by murrayvol on May 11, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ: Glad to hear it. Sorry bout that hornets nest.

mparker: "SILENCED!" Say it ain't so. They were amongst the best & brightest. Thanks for the heads up. I'll be on my best behavior!

Posted by pdhuff on May 11, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Must stay froggy, they tell you to jump, you say "How high"?

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