Shockwaves were sent through the world of college football earlier this week, as Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Lincoln Riley took the head coaching job at the University of Southern California. After leading the Sooners for the last five seasons, in which he worked with Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and won four straight Big 12 championship games, Riley will serve as the 30th head coach in the history of the USC Trojans.
Yesterday in a galaxy not so far away, The Hardline on Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket in Dallas reflected on a recent Twitter exchange between co-host Corby Davidson and on-air talent Ty Walker involving Lincoln Riley, and a prominent, out-of-this-world film series. The connection between the two topics by means of integrating social media into the show resulted in a compelling, entertaining exchange on the air.
“Barstool says, ‘LSU players and recruits are now following Lincoln Riley on Twitter,’ read Bob Sturm, co-host of the afternoon drive program, “and this was something Ty thought Corby needed to know about.
“I figured he would want any kind of Lincoln Riley breaking news,” Walker said, knowing Corby Davidson is a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners.
“Sent back to Mr. Ty from Mr. Corby — this is Friday afternoon at 4:55,” said Sturm. “‘Ty, you just lost to Texas. And I will bet you a new Star Wars tattoo on the forehead Lincoln [Riley] doesn’t move.’”
Following the confirmation from Davidson that he had indeed sent that Tweet, Sturm finished giving the context of the exchange to the listeners.
“One hour later with, I don’t think any further exchange, but I assume Corby put down his flask for long enough to be alone with his thoughts,” said Sturm. ‘Bets off the table.’ Multiple bets, or did you just forget the punctuation there?”
“I missed the little [apostrophe] mark there,” remarked Davidson.
Davidson argued that since Walker never replied to the initial Tweet he sent in which he bet he would get a new Star Wars tattoo on his forehead if Coach Riley moved schools, the bet had never been agreed to. He offered a hypothetical to get his point across to Sturm, Walker and those listening to the show.
“Right now, if I said I’ll bet you $100,000 that I do not get in a car crash on the way home, would you take that bet?,” said Corby Davidson. “If you don’t accept it, I’m going to assume you’re going to pay me $100,000 when I get home safely.”
“We have to spit and then shake on it,” replied Sturm.
“Right!,” said Davidson. “Ty never said ‘I’ll accept it,’ and then I was like, ‘Well, he’s out, so I’m out too. Bet’s off the table. Sorry.’”
Walker said the bet was made “with such conviction” that he did not feel the need to respond to Davidson to confirm he had accepted it, ostensibly missing out on an opportunity. Nonetheless, the guys made a compromise since Riley indeed left his job with the Oklahoma Sooners, something that will surely be talked about as the show continues this week.
“Could we settle on one of these Henna tattoos?” asked Sturm. “Get a little Ewok on your forehead for two weeks… Maybe Grogu, maybe Admiral Ackbar?”
“Well, I’m going to do it,” responded Corby Davidson after mulling the proposal over. “I think even though I feel like I still won the bet, I’m still going to do it for you guys. Would you take an earlobe tattoo of Grogu?”
“No doubt — that’s fair,” said Sturm.
