Lena Rivera
Bubba Watson, a pro golfer and owner of the General Lee car from the TV show Dukes of Hazzard, faced criticism for his decision to paint over the Confederate flag on the car and replace it with the US flag. Watson's decision came amid a wider debate about the Confederate flag's symbolism and controversy over its portrayal in the media, particularly after the 2015 Charleston church shooting where the accused gunman posed with the flag. While some people, including actor John Schneider, doubted Watson's pledge to repaint the flag, others supported his gesture to distance himself from the offensive symbol and make a statement against racism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner of the car | Bubba Watson |
| Car model | Dodge Charger |
| Car name | General Lee |
| Year of purchase | 2012 |
| Amount paid | $110,000 to $121,000 |
| Previous use | Used in the TV show "Dukes of Hazzard" |
| Reason for painting over the flag | To avoid offending people |
| New flag | American flag |
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What You'll Learn
Bubba Watson's pledge to paint over the Confederate flag
In 2012, Bubba Watson, a US golfer, bought the car known as the General Lee, an orange 1969 Dodge Charger made famous in the television show "Dukes of Hazzard". Watson called it his "dream car" and often drove it in public. However, the Confederate flag painted on the roof soon became a source of controversy, particularly in the wake of the racially motivated Charleston church shooting in 2015, where the suspect, Dylann Roof, was pictured holding the flag.
The Confederate flag has long been a divisive symbol in the US, with critics denouncing it as racist while defenders argue it represents Southern heritage. In the context of this heightened debate, Watson pledged to paint over the Confederate flag on his car, tweeting, "All men ARE created equal, I believe that so I will be painting the American flag over the roof of the General Lee #USA". Watson's decision was met with criticism from some, including actor and singer John Schneider, who doubted Watson's pledge and defended the General Lee car and its Confederate flag against claims of inherent racism.
Watson's announcement came amid a growing backlash against Confederate symbols across the US, with many states displaying the flag outside government buildings, on number plates, and as bumper stickers. Watson himself acknowledged the controversy, stating, "Obviously, the flag is the controversy, not the TV show... I don't stand for hatred... I think we're all created equal". Despite the criticism, Watson stood by his decision, stating that it "was the right gesture for me to do".
While Watson did not release any images of the updated car, his pledge to paint over the Confederate flag on his beloved General Lee reflected a broader shift in attitudes towards Confederate symbolism in the US.
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The General Lee car from 'Dukes of Hazzard'
The General Lee is a bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger, known for performing dangerous stunts and record-breaking jumps in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. The car was driven by the Duke cousins, Bo and Luke, and was named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The car featured the Confederate Battle Flag on its roof, along with a horn that played the first 12 notes of the song "Dixie".
The General Lee quickly became known as the fastest car in Hazzard County, with its speed and the Duke cousins' driving skills allowing them to stay ahead of the corrupt Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. The car was so popular that it even appeared in a 2014 commercial for AutoTrader, featuring John Schneider and Tom Wopat, the stars of The Dukes of Hazzard.
Due to the widespread removal of Confederate symbols across the United States, the General Lee has come under scrutiny for its use of the Confederate flag. In 2015, Bubba Watson, a golfer and owner of the authentic General Lee car, announced that he would be painting over the Confederate flag on the car's roof with the American flag. Watson's decision was met with criticism, with some accusing him of trying to preserve his sponsorships. However, others supported his decision, with NASCAR cancelling a scheduled parade lap for Watson and the car due to the Confederate flag.
It is estimated that 325 General Lee cars were used during the production of The Dukes of Hazzard, with only 17 originals still known to exist in various states of repair. The car's engine varied, with different engines used for the TV series and the 2005 motion picture. The General Lee has become one of the most widely recognized TV cars in the world, with many fans considering it the true star of the show.
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NASCAR cancels Bubba Watson's parade lap
NASCAR cancelled Bubba Watson's parade lap due to concerns over the negative image of the Confederate flag on his "General Lee" car. Watson, a pro golfer and avid fan of "The Dukes of Hazzard", had purchased the 1969 Dodge Charger, which was featured in the show, at an auction in 2012 for $110,000-$121,000. He was scheduled to drive the car, known for its large Confederate flag painted on the roof, on a parade lap before the March 4 Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
However, NASCAR officials, the racetrack, and the track ownership group International Speedway Corp jointly decided to cancel Watson's participation due to concerns that the Confederate flag could create a negative perception as the sport attempted to attract new fans and promote inclusivity. NASCAR spokesman David Higdon stated, "The image of the Confederate flag is not something that should play an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive."
Watson himself acknowledged the controversy surrounding the flag, stating, "Obviously, I don't stand for the Confederate flag," while also expressing his understanding of the decision, given the flag's negative connotations. He also clarified that he bought the car because of his association with the show and his love for it, not to seek publicity.
The decision sparked mixed reactions, with some, like former "Dukes of Hazzard" actor Ben Jones, criticizing NASCAR for "dishonoring Southerners" and overreacting to a non-issue. Watson maintained a neutral stance but affirmed his attendance at the Phoenix race, even without driving the "General Lee."
Following the NASCAR incident, Watson faced further scrutiny in 2015 when he pledged to paint over the Confederate flag on the "General Lee" car. Amid a broader debate about the flag's symbolism, particularly in the wake of the Charleston church shooting, Watson announced via Twitter his intention to replace the Confederate flag with the US flag, stating, "All men ARE created equal, I believe that so I will be painting the American flag over the roof of the General Lee #USA." This decision garnered mixed responses, with some accusing him of succumbing to political correctness or fearing sponsor loss. Despite the announcement, there is skepticism about whether Watson followed through with the repainting, as no proof or images of the updated car have been released.
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John Schneider defends the General Lee car
John Schneider, who played Bo Duke in the "Dukes of Hazzard", has defended the General Lee car amidst criticism surrounding its Confederate flag iconography. In 2015, TV Land pulled reruns of the show from its schedule, and Warner Bros. stopped producing toys and replicas of the General Lee due to backlash over the Confederate flag's inclusion.
During an appearance on "Fox and Friends", Schneider expressed doubt that Bubba Watson, a pro golfer and owner of an authentic "General Lee" Dodge Charger, had followed through on his promise to replace the Confederate flag on his car with a US flag. Watson had purchased the car at an auction in 2012 for $121,000, and it is the actual car that was featured in the show's opening credits.
Schneider said, "I've heard that he took the flag off, but, honestly, I have no reason to believe that that's true." He also defended the General Lee in his new independent film "Christmas Cars", arguing that it is not an inherently racist symbol.
In 2021, Schneider's own "General Lee" Dodge Charger, which was a gift from his late wife, Alicia, was stolen. He shared his disappointment in a Facebook post, stating that he knew who had possession of the car and that they intended to sell it without his permission. Schneider's Louisiana property was also affected by Hurricane Ida, which damaged another one of his "General Lee" cars.
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Bubba Watson's critics and supporters
Bubba Watson is an American professional golfer who has won two major championships. He has also gained some notoriety for his behaviour and attitude, with fellow golfers voting him the most disliked player on the PGA Tour.
In 2012, Watson bought a Dodge Charger car, known as "General Lee", which featured in the television show "Dukes of Hazzard". The car had a Confederate flag painted on the roof, which caused controversy, particularly in the wake of the 2015 Charleston church shooting, where nine people were killed by a gunman who had posed with the Confederate flag.
Watson initially continued to drive the car in public, but NASCAR later cancelled a scheduled parade lap featuring the car, stating that the Confederate flag should not "play an official role in our sport". Watson also received criticism on social media for his continued association with the flag.
In response to the backlash, Watson announced via Twitter that he would be painting over the Confederate flag with the American flag, stating, "All men ARE created equal, I believe that so I will be painting the American flag over the roof of the General Lee #USA".
Despite his announcement, Watson never released any images of the updated car, leading some to doubt that he followed through with his promise. Actor John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard", expressed scepticism about Watson's intentions, stating that he didn't believe Watson would cover up the Confederate flag. Schneider defended the General Lee car, arguing that it was not a racist symbol.
Watson's decision to paint over the Confederate flag was met with mixed reactions. While some criticised him for bowing down to political correctness or fear of losing sponsors, others supported his decision to distance himself from the controversial symbol.
Watson has also received criticism for other actions in his career, such as publicly admitting his dislike for the course at TPC Scottsdale before a tournament, which resulted in jeers from fans. Additionally, he has been known to make profanity-punctuated comments during competitions and has been criticised for his behaviour at the 2014 PGA Championship. However, the following day, Watson thanked his critics and tried to improve his behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bubba Watson decided to paint over the Confederate flag on the roof of his General Lee car with the American flag.
Bubba Watson decided to paint over the flag due to the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag and its symbolism. Watson stated that he did not want to offend anyone and that the flag did not align with his beliefs.
The General Lee is a 1969 Dodge Charger that was featured in the late 1970s TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard". It is known for performing a jump in the show's opening credits and has become a collectible item.
Bubba Watson bought the General Lee car at an auction in 2012 for $110,000 to $121,000. It is one of the few surviving cars from the show and has been described as his "dream car".
