Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has a healthy chip on his shoulder for someone who’s starting for the biggest powerhouse in modern college football. Whether it’s rallying from being benched against South Florida, converting a 4th and Goal from the 31 to beat Auburn, or shrugging off insufferable prick Bill O’Brien’s assertion that he couldn’t play QB, Milroe’s legend is rapidly building.
Milroe is building a brand around proving outsiders wrong. He’s created merchandise with the acronym “LANK,” meaning “Let A Naysayer Know.” At least that’s how ESPN anchor Rece Davis explained it on New Year’s Day ahead of the Crimson Tide’s Rose Bowl showdown with Michigan. Pat McAfee was so alarmed as Davis built up to the LANK reveal that he cut his colleague off mid-segment, leading to a laughing fit on set:
This is pretty self-explanatory. I think you can deduce what McAfee and the other personalities thought Davis might say. Hint, in case you’re not catching on: It’d be a career-ender. One-hundred percent. No questions asked. Deadsville. Forced resignation, or instant termination. Early retirement.
McAfee’s timing was impeccable. In my opinion, the main reason so many people like the former NFL punter and why he’s had such success in his transition to media is that he often says the quiet part out loud.
Just think if McAfee wasn’t around for this. Davis likely would’ve gotten through the monologue without any resistance. Nobody would’ve chuckled. If they did, it’d be off-camera, with a muted mic. Instead, we get about a minute of absolute live television gold.
Kirk Herbstreit chimes in and jokingly berates McAfee for cutting Davis off. The best, though, are Desmond Howard and Joey Galloway absolutely losing it. Galloway is wiping away tears of laughter. Like that emoji we all use when we find something really funny, only Galloway is legit cry-laughing. Howard can’t contain himself, either. What a beautiful way to bring together Ohio State (Galloway) and Michigan (Howard) alums.
OK but back to Milroe for a second: Here he is in the “LANK” attire today. Talk about being locked in.
The way I see it, he’s playing with house money at this point. All the pressure is on Michigan to prove its sign-stealing scandal didn’t lead to all of their success. Jim Harbaugh has been terrible in bowl games, losing his last six with the Wolverines. Harbaugh might also go to the NFL, leaving Michigan’s program with an uncertain future if that happens.
This stage is old hat for Nick Saban. Milroe’s trajectory is skyward at the minute, with no telling how high he can ascend. The Crimson Tide have far less outside distractions and scandal entering this College Football Playoff semifinal than the Wolverines do. And yet, as of this writing, Bama is a two-point underdog.
Sounds like the optimal opportunity for Jalen Milroe to Let A Naysayer Know. Shield your ears if they be prudish to hear Milroe’s message to his teammates before taking the field.
