Major Applewhite is the head coach of the Houston Cougars. Ed Oliver is the injured defensive tackle who is a bona fide stud that figures to be selected with one of the first 10 picks of next spring’s NFL Draft. Together, along with probably like a hundred other people, they have the Cougars rolling through the American Conference at 8-3. Indeed, should they win out, they’d still have a shot at an 11th win.
They’re poised to win their division, assuming they can put away the Memphis Tigers this weekend. If they do that, the mighty UCF is all that would stand between them and the prestigious American Conference Championship.
Indeed, them Cougars playin’ high stakes football right now.
But, it was only a matter of time before Applewhite and Oliver got into it. You just don’t put two alpha males with electric personalities like their’s together and expect them NOT to eventually fight each other – it happens all the time.
As it turns out, the catalyst for this happening was some coat. A fucking coat.
ESPN cameras captured Applewhite approach Oliver and signaling him to take off a heavy coat that is only reserved for active players. Oliver then blew up on his coach and had to be restrained by Rod Grace, the team’s director of sports performance.
Ed Oliver was HEATED when his coach told him to take off his jacket on the sideline pic.twitter.com/2OZUAXSrJ1
— ESPN (@espn) November 16, 2018
Oliver did not return to the sidelines for the second half and did not make himself available to reporters after the game.
After the game, Coach Applewhite attempted to sweep the incident under the rug:
“He got emotional, but he’s young and that’s what happens,” he said, per the Associated Press. “And he’s not playing. That’s hard. That’s difficult. I don’t hold anything against anyone. I’m just going to visit with him about it. I love him. I want him to be a part of our team. I want him to be with our team.”
Simple solution – put Applewhite and Oliver in a wrestling ring, then hang the coat above the ring. Ring the bell, and let these two duke it out – first one to climb a ladder to retrieve the coat gets to keep it, and the loser has to give up custody of their firstborn child. I don’t make the rules, folks – this is pro wrestling.
Also, I love that Applewhite said Oliver “got emotional.”
Dude, you were the one on the sideline literally trying to pull this kid’s jacket off of him. That is the most condescending way you could try and sweep it under the rug.
He’s basically saying “I will take the high road and just say I love him, but he’s young and dumb” even though Applewhite started pulling his sleeve down. Was he saying, “I love you” at the time? It’s the same as saying “no offense” to someone right before you tell them what a dumbass they are. “If I tell him I love him, then he can’t get mad at me for ripping his jacket off.”
Obviously, we don’t really know what was going on, but I tend to operate under the general rule that you probably just shouldn’t try to poke people and you definitely shouldn’t try to remove someone’s jacket for them. You have to just make a mental note and revisit it at a later date.
It’s 2018, y’all – there are cameras everywhere. But, overall, this is one of those things that I’m really happy we get to see on film. So, shout out to the camera crew. Imagine NOT reading this article to start your Monday – would be pretty dismal if you ask me.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.
