Media Blows Steve Spurrier Comment Out of Proportion

October 27, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier directs his team against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

Marcus Lattimore did not die Saturday. He did not lose his leg. He did not lose his shot at the NFL (he did lose his chance a top round draft pick, though). The way a few main stream media outlets covered Lattimore’s pep rally yesterday, though, you’d think the 1500 people that showed up to the horseshoe were there for a funeral.

The most offended media member, Graham Watson, writes for Yahoo: “This was a chance — a moment — for bygones to be bygones. For both coaches to set aside the petty things and come together for the sake of Lattimore, but for some reason, Spurrier couldn’t do it..” (Yahoo’s extra period, not mine).

Here, in full, is what Spurrier actually said.

"“I read one [comment] today from the head coach at our upstate school — you know, that school that used to beat us a lot that doesn’t beat us much anymore — usually when that coach up there talks about South Carolina it’s a bunch of garbage and a bunch of BS. Usually. But I have to agree with him on what he said the other day. He said, ‘Marcus Lattimore stands for what’s right about college football.'”"

This was a pep rally, nay, a party held on Marcus Lattimore’s birthday in front of more than 1000 Carolina fans, many of whom were wearing No. 21 jerseys.

The fans in attendance who signed giant birthday and get well cards for Lattimore cheered. They didn’t think Spurrier’s comment was offensive. Dabo Swinney himself didn’t think the comment was offensive. Lattimore, who watched the rally on his computer didn’t think they comment was offensive.

So why did Watson, and so many other sports pundits, have to come out and lambast the Head Ball Coach for what he said?

The headline of Watson’s story, which I refuse to link to, reads, “Steve Spurrier makes Marcus Lattimore Day all about Steve Spurrier”.

No, Graham, you made Marcus Lattimore Day all about Steve Spurrier.