Giants safety Xavier McKinney and offensive tackle Evan Neal were wearing University of Tennessee hats for their media availability on Wednesday, immediately sparking wonder if the Alabama alum had lost some kind of bet.
Indeed it was, as they had made a deal with athletic trainer and Tennessee grad school alum Phil Buzzerio: if ‘Bama had won last Saturday’s huge SEC clash, Buzzerio would have had to wear an elephant costume to represent Big Al, Alabama’s elephant mascot.
Instead, after the Vols upset the Crimson Tide 52-49 to end a 15-game losing streak against ‘Bama, it was the two Alabama alumni rocking the Rocky Top headgear on Wednesday.
“Man, I was really confident in my squad. I still am but things happen, and it is what it is,” McKinney said.
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They only had to wear it for the media availability, although even that was too long for McKinney.
“Yeah, my head did start itching when I put it in,” McKinney laughed. “I think I may take it off. As soon as this is over, I got to throw this in the trash.”
“It feels awful…I never really liked orange,” Neal added.
McKinney also joked about no pictures, although the sessions were on film, so it’s captured for posterity – but McKinney will get over it, just like he thinks his Crimson Tide will come back from the loss.
“Yeah, it’s rough, but we’re going to bounce back though, we'll be alright,” McKinney said.
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