How good of a sportsman and competitor is Marcus Mariota?
The Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender was so into his competition with UCLA last weekend that he supposedly talked the referees out of calling a penalty on UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt for a late hit at one point in the second half.
UCLA beat writer for the Orange County Register Ryan Kartje reported on Monday that UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr “said he heard Mariota tell refs on Saturday not to call a late hit on Jordan Zumwalt, and to let them play.” Mariota also supposedly gave Zumwalt a tap on the helmet as if to say “good job.”
UCLA was pretty demonstrative during the game. Although they lost 42-14, the game was tied at 14-14 at the half. The Bruins were definitely feeling themselves in that first half. Here’s a GIF of Zumwalt taunting De’Anthony Thomas after making a big hit in the second quarter:
That’s cool that Mariota likes the competition and doesn’t want the refs affecting the game too much. Can you see Tom Brady telling refs to stuff a flag away when he’s playing the Baltimore Ravens and they call a lame penalty on the defense? Of course not, and that’s one of the reasons Terrell Suggs can’t stand him.
Helmet smack to College Football Talk
GIF via Gordon Dixon
