As is the case with many college athletes, Marcus Lattimore did not complete his education and earn a degree. Instead, Lattimore chose to enter the NFL draft, and ended up with the San Francisco 49ers. No shame in that… I’m not here to preach about the importance of higher education. Lattimore was working towards a degree in public health at the University of South Carolina before he left for the NFL, and he has talked of eventually completing this program at a later time. I’m here to tell him that’s a stupid idea. Aside from his athletic gifts, Lattimore has shown that perhaps his true calling is in public relations, specifically spin control. This became crystal clear on May 24th, when Lattimore gave an interview to the Sacramento Bee.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Lattimore, he has a history of terrible knee injuries. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011. Soon after his return in 2012, he tore the ACL, PCL, and LCL in his right knee. Oh, and he dislocated that kneecap too. In injury shorthand, we call that, “shredding his knee.” Willis McGahee came back from a similar college injury, so it’s not impossible. It’s just very difficult. Lattimore sat out his entire rookie NFL year in 2013 as he rehabbed his knee. Now, 19 months removed from that horrific college injury, Lattimore is still having some problems with his knee.
But enough backstory already, let’s get to the fun part. In this interview with the Sacramento Bee, Lattimore admitted that he is now experiencing soreness in both his legs. But his spin on it is incredible. Take it away, Marcus:
“I’m excited about it. About six, seven months ago, it would just be my left leg that would be sore. Now I’m balanced on both legs. Feeling good, man.”
Did that just happen? Did Lattimore actually say that it is a positive sign that both legs are hurting? Is he using the newly symmetrical nature of his pain as a sign that he is progressing?
I don’t want to be too harsh on Marcus Lattimore here, but I find myself remembering the principal/judge in Billy Madison after Billy gave a terrible answer in the academic decathlon. You remember that? Here goes:
“Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Am I being too critical here? Is there any way that Lattimore’s dual leg pain is a sign of progress? So it’s not just me, right? Seriously, you can’t tell me that this guy wouldn’t have a bright future in public relations. Is it possible that this is just a fantastic joke on Lattimore’s part? If so, well played Marcus.
