ESPN's Marcus Spears goes on spectacular rant about LSU beating Alabama
LSU’s 46-41 win over Alabama didn’t just hand the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season or keep the Tigers’ perfect record alive and playoff chances incredibly high.
The win in Tuscaloosa snapped an eight-game losing streak in this SEC West rivalry series, giving LSU its first W over Alabama since 2011. It proved Ed Orgeron’s team is a serious national championship contender and is arguably one of two top teams have have separated themselves from the rest.
But is was also a win for the entire state of Louisiana, as ESPN analyst and former LSU player Marcus Spears said Tuesday on Get Up during one of the best TV rants ever. He also showed up to the set wearing an LSU sweatshirt over what looks like a dress shirt and tie.
Spears, who played for Nick Saban when he was still at LSU, said in part, talking to Mike Greenberg with Desmond Howard and Paul Finebaum listening:
“Here’s the thing: This was the state of Louisiana versus the University of Alabama. This was not just about football. This was eight years of pain and agony of watching the LSU Tigers with the coach that was initially at LSU, at Alabama, having success. Saturday was a moment in time that we won’t forget for a long time.
“With the underdog coach! They said they didn’t want O. Des, remember? Remember everybody said, ‘That’s not the right hire. Look what he did at Ole Miss!’ And I was standing on the table — G, if this table wouldn’t break down when I got on top of it, I would stand on the table right now — and I said this is the right guy for the job because the players respond.
“And then something crazy happened! Something crazy happened! This guy from Ohio State that couldn’t win a job ended up saying, ‘You know what? I think I’ma go to LSU.’ And then something else crazy happened! They got this guy named Joe Brady from New Orleans Saints!”
Just spectacular. Spears is a great analyst, and his obvious bias can be excused because of the context his rant and emotions add to the reaction to the game several days later.