How rivalries between college and NFL teams spill over into NFL locker rooms

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ASHBURN VA — The shirt was not right. Washington Commanders Receiver Terry McLaurinBut a bet is a bet.

He donned the Michigan colors. After Ohio State’s defeat to the Wolverines last season, a scarlet-gray player had to change to maize and green. McLaurin, a Michigan player, showed up at a team meeting two days later wearing the Michigan shirt with a fellow teammate. Khaleke HudsonThe name of the person and their No. 7 on the back.

It is a tradition that takes place in every NFL locker room during the regular season. One player losing a wager because his college lost to another school. It’s not about money, it’s about pride. It’s not about being in the other team’s shirt or overalls. It could be the joy of watching another player on video proclaiming that the other team is the best. Maybe it’s the humble view that even the GOAT is capable of.

“It is not appropriate for me to be dressed in Michigan blue. McLaurin repeated the last line several times to emphasize his point.

It was Commanders long-snapper who commented on McLaurins shirt first. Camaron CheesemanMichigan, where he also played.

Cheeseman said to him, “You look great in our colors.”

McLaurin still shivers as he relates the story.

McLaurin stated that it was embarrassing. McLaurin said, “But that’s why guys make it. Because your money comes and goes, but you get the bragging rights of wearing the gear of the opposing team and maybe having it posted on social media. … I’d rather lose my cash than come here in the Michigan blues, like last year.

McLaurin got the last laugh though, pointing out the number of Wolverines he defeated in his five years living in Columbus.

“I hate to be this man, they beat us but I’m like, “When I was there you didn’t beat me Khaleke.” I ride with Ohio State and they lost. McLaurin explained that when I was there, five of my gold pants were mine, which refers to the gold charms that Buckeyes players received for beating Michigan.

McLaurin’s bet honoring is not a rare occurrence. These scenes are not new, but they get more intense this week as a host of major rivalries — including Ohio State-Michigan and Alabama-Auburn — kick off.

‘Schmediums look good’

THE TRASH TALK The simple fact that the NFL has players makes bets possible.

“We are competitive, that’s why this sport is for us.” Atlanta Falcons Corner Darren Hall said.

In the locker room there is always competition, whether it’s over basketball skills or cornhole games. It gets even more intense when it comes to their schools. The players choose their colleges, while the NFL teams select their players. Although some players mentioned bets that could exceed four figures, most said it wasn’t about money. They’re prideful; they’re loyal.

“Somebody had to believe in your abilities to get you into that school.” Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither said. “That led to you being accepted into the NFL. It’s a partnership that works for me.”

Zac Taylor, Bengals coach allows players to wear their college swag at Saturday walk-throughs. It is obvious who lost a wager from the previous week.

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Zach AllenThe Boston College student had to wear a Wake Forest T shirt, thanks to wide receiver Greg DortchAfter BC lost last month to Wake

Allen stated, “The shirt was like an frickin’ medium.” It looked good, though. … It’s rare to see Dortch and me going against each others, so it’s cool stuff such as this that brings the whole 53 together.[-man roster] together. People invest because they love seeing a 285-pound man in a medium size.

However, teammate Maxx Williams Schmediums are good, said the author.

Williams should know this: Williams, a former Minnesota Golden Gophers tightend, lost his bet to a teammate Trace McSorley, a former Penn State quarterback. He also wore a skin tight shirt that was one size too small, so he wore a medium-tight shirt — hence, “schmedium.”

McSorley stated, “It’s great fun.” It makes it easier to do.

Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoyA Texas alum, he looked sad while wearing a Texas Tech shirt via social media earlier this season — thanks to a wager lost by a pair Arizona teammates.

Kliff Kingsbury was the Cardinals’ coach from 2013-2018. He did not wager with McCoy however.

Kingsbury stated, “I’m not wearing that orange s —, I am confident.”

He saw McCoy’s pain in the photo.

Kingsbury said, “He looks just like his dog died, man.”

McCoy saw a former Oklahoma punter when he played for the Commanders in 2018. Tress Way Every day, Longhorns shirts are worn inside and outside the facility. They also held a stand bet each year on a six-pack of their choosing.

Way admitted that wearing the shirt was “painful.” “But that’s part of the fun; college ball, it is the best.”

Hall lost a bet on Falcons running back Avery Williams Boise State defeated San Diego State. Hall had planned to give Williams an Aztecs backpack and maybe a hat. He said, “Nothing crazy.” Hall wore his Boise State jersey all day because Williams showed up.

Hall stated, “I wore it because he was my favorite player.”

Williams said, “I could’ve given him my helmet too, but I wouldn’t do that to you.” His big head wouldn’t fit into my helmet.

During Saturday evening team meals at the hotel, players can watch the games together in the dining area. For example, the Commanders have three TVs in their dining room during team meals. Other times, different groups will meet in hotel rooms for games.

“You don’t want you team playing and losing,” defensive ending Shaka Toney said.

Even if you are from Georgia, all are welcome. If they are brave.

“That’s what’s most difficult, because we all get paid fairly well, so a $20 wager here and there isn’t as bad as wearing the other team’s colors,” stated Falcons linebacker. Lorenzo CarterGeorgia’s varsity football team. “It’s tough being a Georgia Bulldog. People see us and become intimidated by us, and they don’t want bets. I haven’t won nearly as much because everyone is pretty scared.

“Everybody hates Bama,”

IT IS UNIVERSAL In NFL locker rooms, players root for Alabama. Also, the Crimson Tide’s players can be quiet in most cases even after a loss.

They have won six national championships under Nick Saban since 2009.

Take New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson SrFor example,. Former Crimson Tide standout, he played with Cleveland BrownsHe had to pay his wager to his teammates Jarvis Landry Odell Beckham Jr. After Alabama lost to LSU, Wilson returned in 2019. Wilson later on that day wore an LSU T shirt to team meetings.

He also wore jewelry. He took a selfie with four of his championship rings from Alabama.

Wilson, who was awarded a national title, two SEC championships, and an SEC West title during his three years at Alabama said, “Before leaving the house I made sure that I grabbed all of my rings and took them to the hotel.” “I wore them all day and was playing with them.”

Alabama lost to LSU again this season. LSU was home to two of Wilson’s Patriots teammates: cornerback Jalen Mills Protective and offensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Wilson was always ready to help.

Wilson stated, “I went against them 3-0.”

Toney, a former Penn State star now on the Commanders practice team, summarized it as: “Everybody hates Bama in the NFL. I love success. While I admire their efforts, everyone hates Bama.”

Four players are from Alabama, including four defensive linemen. Daron Payne Jonathan AllenRunning back and forth is also possible Brian Robinson Receiver Cam Sims.

Although Alabama lost two games this season, and lost the national championship final game last year to the Tide, it will take more for the Tide to lose their vibe in NFL locker room.

Toney stated that “They’re Bama till they’re no more Bama.” People give Bama credit for their losses. But, until you can see consecutive years — and it must have been multiple years — it has got to be Bama. It’s tough.”

Teammate James Smith-WilliamsThe defensive end was a summary: “Jon & Payne have like 5 national championships. What can you do to that?

Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive tackle Cam Robinson A former Alabama player, he said he knew who was the reigning supreme in Jags’ locker rooms, even though a rookie linebacker. Travon Walker Participated in the Georgia national championship team’s last year.

Robinson spoke of Alabama, saying that they were talking about “probably the greatest college football team dynasty”. “It’s only me, if I’m being sincere. Josh [Allen] His mouth is open [about Kentucky]I don’t understand why it’s called a basketball school. Travon is able to talk a bit. Daniel Thomas [from Auburn] He likes to talk. We don’t know why. He cannot really speak for himself.”

Falcons linebacker Rashaan EvansAlabama player from 2014 to 2017, he said his past teammates were too afraid to bet him on Alabama games. But it’s not the end. Cordarrelle Patterson He had no such reservations when his Tennessee Volunteers defeated Alabama on October 15.

Evans was forced to wear orange-and-white checkered overalls. He laughed at it. He also shared the mindset of the Alabama team.

It was inevitable. It was fun because someone finally beat us. Sometimes, it can get boring winning.

“Undefeated on mic”

FALCONS LINEBACKER WILL Compton was known in the NFL for his reputation as a Nebraskan Defender. He played there from 2008 through 2012.

Compton used his skills as an orator to create the podcast “Bussin with the Boys”, where he argued for an 11-1 season of the Cornhuskers. They’re 3-8. They are 3-8.

Despite Nebraska’s 48-20 record during his five years as Lincoln’s governor, the school has had only three winning seasons and none since 2016.

Way, who was a Washington colleague of Compton, stated that Compton was “one thing I always said regarding him: He was undefeated at the mic.” He could be completely wrong and find a way of winning the argument. It would be him against all the locker room. He was the best at that.”

Here’s what Compton did:

“A group would gather about me, and I’d catch the one person who laughs whose team got destroyed,” said he. “I’d defend my self and immediately point to the other loser. He would get the spotlight and I would throw seven types of smoke at him until Nebraska was dead.”

Compton, however, must pay for his wagers. Compton knows that this week’s game between Iowa and Nebraska could be his payoff. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.

Compton will record another video if Nebraska loses to the Hawkeyes eighth consecutively. Compton will be required to declare Iowa’s superiority in the video and shout out the Hawkeyes once more on social media.

Compton appeared to be being forced to watch a video statement in 2020. After declaring that he wouldn’t “talk about me being 2”, Compton said that he would not. [against Iowa]Compton took in a deep breath, looked away from the camera and said “Player of the Game one year. That’s irrelevant.”

They are the big brother to the border. They are the better program.”

He continued for nine seconds.

“I wish I would have committed to Kirk Ferentz & the Iowa Hawkeyes back 2008, and I wish i hadn’t gone to Nebraska because Iowa has a better football team.” For making the video, he called Kittle “sick SOB”.

Compton isn’t going to change.

He replied, “I s— talk.” “I still receive texts from the guys I played with. They’ll tell you they tune in to check out Nebraska’s activities — if they’re having a bad day, they’ll send me a message. They will tell me that they want to see if Nebraska is winning or losing so they can determine what kind of state of mind they’ll be in.

Players on other teams are not likely to make any changes. They love it too.

Wilson said, “Definitely it’s a lot of fun.” “It seems that almost every day, someone will bring up a story from college. It doesn’t matter if it’s about them. We are always talking trash.”

Unbeaten against the GOAT

IN EIGHT SESSIONS Playing with Tom Brady New England’s only former NFL safety league has one game Nate Ebner Never lost: The Ohio State-Michigan match. Brady, possibly the most well-known Michigan football alumnus, believed it was The Year every year. It wasn’t. He had to pay eight times to his Ohio State teammate a bet.

Ebner was a former Michigan player who played with Brady between 2012 and 2019. He wanted to be more creative when he asked Brady what to do following a Michigan loss. Ebner was able to decide what to do because there were two Ohio State and two Michigan players involved. Brady formed the H; defensivelineman Chase Winovich Was the I, and ex Buckeye John Simon bookended O’s with Ebner.

“[Winovich] Ebner said that Ebner was probably the most annoying Michigan player of all times. “Seeing him doing it with us was the best thing.”

Ebner shared the photo on his Instagram account. Brady didn’t have to swallow his pride in the aftermath of a bet. In 2012, Ebner wore Mike Vrabel’s Ohio State jersey above his pads during practice.

Seven years later, Ebner was able to strike a pose alongside Brady that Ohio State fans loved. Ebner said Brady was a great sport for paying back the bet. Ebner is confident that Brady is the greatest ever quarterback, although he believes he’s better in one particular area. Ebner was with Tampa Bay when Michigan beat Ohio State in the last round of the 2011 season.

Ebner stated that you can see the look on his faces as if he couldn’t believe he was doing this. Although he didn’t really have much to share, he did state that ‘I’m not going to live this down’. Perhaps I could work with local charities to help raise funds for this picture, as it is such a unique Ohio State photo. One day, I might get Tom to sign a copy.

This story was written by Mike Rothstein and Ben Baby. Josh Weinfuss, Mike Reiss, Mike Reiss and Michael DiRocco also contributed.


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