Top Pot Tate: Simple Mistake, or Shrewd Marketing?

Really? This isn’t a shrewd marketing scheme or calculated strategy?

You’re telling me that Golden Tate, a soon-to-be NFL millionaire, snuck into a closed donut shop to pilfer a few dollars worth of doughnuts? Something isn’t right here.

“Absolutely not,” Top Pot co-founder Mark Klebeck claimed when asked in a recent interview if this entire dilemma was a deliberate publicity stunt.

Either way, the attention Top Pot is receiving from this mess is priceless. It just seems a little suspicious that Golden Tate, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, is caught stealing from Top Pot Doughnuts, who recently reached an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks to become the “official doughnut and coffee partner” at Qwest Field.

No charges were pressed. A crime was committed, but only a warning was given.

Even as further news breaks, I still can’t believe this was just a professional athlete acting “drunk and stupid.” Especially after hearing comments from the Seahawks regarding the situation.

“When I got here, it was one of the first things I had,” Tate told the media yesterday, referring to maple bars sold at Top Pot. “I heard about it, they’re irresistible. It was kind of a foolish mistake that won’t happen again, but if you ever want some maple bars, that’s the place to go.”

I don’t necessarily have a problem with Golden Tate injecting a bit of humor into his apology, but I was somewhat surprised at Pete Carroll’s response. I understand this is a minor situation and a small life lesson for Tate, but is why is everyone using this as an opportunity to compliment Top Pot’s doughnuts?

Apology, regret, and love for Top Pot Doughnuts.

From Pete Carroll’s Twitter account regarding the situation:

"a great maple bar is a great maple bar, right golden?? they don’t come along everyday… a classic @TopPot temptation!"

Carroll’s tweets are written by someone else, but the coach’s comments made to the media didn’t disagree with the preceding sentiment.

“I’m not disappointed in a guy being in a doughnut shop when they’ve got maple bars like Top Pot has,” Pete Carroll told reporters. “However, under the circumstances I think they were closed or they were trying to close or something like that. So that’s definitely one. We talked about it, addressed it and he’s most remorseful about it and all that.”

Apparently, everyone is upset that Golden Tate was stealing doughnuts, but couldn’t blame him for craving Top Pot’s “irresistible” maple bars.

A minor mistake? Probably. But I’m suspicious – even if they won’t admit it, I think we’re witnessing brilliant guerilla marketing by Top Pot Doughnuts.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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