Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) safety Jayme Thompson isn’t even trying to hear it.
He said that, “by a mile,” the most embarrassing gridiron scenario is getting trucked by a running back.
“And it’s not close, are you kidding?” Thompson said. “A guy just ran you over! That’s so much worse than throwing a pick or getting called for holding, I don’t care what the linemen and quarterbacks say.”
Why?
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The worst of it comes the day after during film session, according to Thompson.
“So you’re over it and you think that it’s past, but here comes the coach showing the film,” he said. “Then your teammates are clowning you another whole day. I mean, if that’s not the most embarrassing thing ever, I don’t know what is.”
Thompson’s certainly got players who share his sentiments.
We caught up with a handful of other safeties and had them weigh in on some fail-proof methods to play off the ultimate embarrassment.
Marcus McWilson, Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown, Ohio), 2013
Committed to: Nebraska
The Initial Reaction: “You can’t even react to be honest. I mean, I don’t even like to remember getting trucked like that. It’s the worst. The running back basically punked you and it’s not embarrassing, it’s worse than that. I mean, you’re on your back. It’s so awkward. It’s bad, man. It’s just bad.”
The Play-off: “You can’t play this off, let me just say that. Your best try would be to just laugh it off with your teammates because, trust me, they definitely will be laughing. That’s for sure.”
Jayme Thompson, Central Catholic (Toldeo, Ohio), 2013
Committed to: Ohio State
The Initial Reaction: “The first thing I do is look at the sky. I mean, I don’t have much choice since I’m on my back. When I get up I look for my dad because I know he’s probably shaking his head. He’s my biggest critic, and I know he won’t let me live it down. I can’t even describe it man. I just got ran over! Wow, it’s pretty bad.”
The Play-off: “Well, I think the best thing you can do is to pretend you had a bad angle and that’s why he got you. That’s something you do after the game on the bus. You just gotta own it and go hard with that. It’s all you’ve got.”
John Diarse, Neville (Monroe, Ga.), 2013
Committed to: LSU
The Initial Reaction: “I’m thinking, ‘Man that guy is strong, why didn’t I hit his legs?’ It’s embarrassing, ya know. A lot of times we know that it’s a bad idea because the running back usually has a full steam sprint coming at you, but you can’t shy away from the hit. You know that your teammates are gonna come with the jokes. A lot.”
The Play-off: “The best way to try and play it off is, when he trucks you, to pull him over so he falls on top of you. It’s bad, but it’s so much worse when he trucks you and keeps going. That’s just ridiculously embarrassing.”
Dymonte Thomas, Marlington (Alliance, Ohio), 2013
Committed to: Michigan
The Initial Reaction: “Well, all I can think is, ‘How in the world did this happen?’ It’s so embarrassing man, I can’t even tell you. I’m thinking I’m gonna deliver a blow, but instead I go flying in the air. My stomach starts to feel a little funny and everything.”
The Play-off: “The best thing that you can do is to go ahead and joke on yourself before your teammates do. Go ahead and get it out there so they won’t hound you about it too long. That’s the best way. Just clown yourself.”
Tyler Foreman, Crespi Carmelite (Encino, Calif.), 2013
Committed to: Wisconsin
The Initial Reaction: “I am probably in shock. I just can’t believe that I just got ran over and everyone saw it. I don’t know; it’s just so confusing for a few seconds. It’s embarrassing and that feeling lasts until the next play.”
The Play-off: “I would say the best thing to do is to roll over and bounce up really quickly and start running back toward the huddle. It’s just something to keep your mind off of the fact that you just got embarrassed. It probably doesn’t work though.”
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter @JayJayUSATODAY.
