Bonner has solution for ‘Hairgate’

Spurs forward Matt Bonner on Thursday called the in-school suspension of a Woodland Lake Middle School student who had a portrait of him shaved into the back of his head “Hairgate,” and suggested an alternate solution to Judson Independent School District officials.

“Couldn’t you just move him to the back of the class?” said the red-headed 3-point shot ace. “Then nobody would see it; it wouldn’t be a distraction. Otherwise, the nicest thing a fan has ever done for me is ruined.”

Patrick Gonzales, like Bonner a redhead, created the controversy when he had a hairstylist shave Bonner’s image in the back of his head as a gesture of support to his favorite Spurs player during the playoffs.

Bonner, an academic All-American, wasn’t critical of school officials for wanting to maintain decorum in the classroom, but thought his solution made more sense than the in-class suspension.

“I’m not going ot condemn the school,” he said. “If anyone is in support of education and academics, it’s myself, my Mom being a teacher, and my own academic success. Like I said, they could have just moved him to the back of the class.”

Bonner’s mother, Paula, retired three years ago after teaching elementary school in New Hampshire for 35 years.

“She isn’t enjoying retirement,” Bonner said, “so she got recertified and is going to go back into teaching.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/05/17/bonner-has-solution-for-hairgate/