There are times when a picture — or a video clip — is worth a thousand words. This, though, is one of those times where it’s worth a whole helluva lot more.
First the backstory, then on to the good visual stuff: five-star high school safety Landon Collins, one of the most talented defensive players in the country, had whittled his collegiate to-do list down to the two schools that will be squaring off in the BcS title game Jan. 9, Alabama and home-state Louisiana. At the Under Armour All-American game Thursday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., and with his mom at his side, Collins gave his non-binding verbal commitment to one of those two football powerhouses.
And let’s just say that Collins’ mom was not a big fan of his choice. And that he’s probably grounded from his Xbox until after prom, too:
So, yeah, I’m guessing that’s the dictionary definition of a “soft verbal” commitment, at least as far as his mother is concerned.
After totally mortifying his mother on national television with a “Roll Tide Roll!”, Collins said how his family feels about leaving the state to play for the Tide will not alter his choice. And that her reaction was “kind of funny” and completely real.
“My mom is not going to affect my decision,” Collins said according to Bryan Fisher of CBSSports.com. “I made up my mind two years ago. …
“It was kind of funny to me since I knew how she felt already when I told her. She felt kind of bad. She wasn’t about to come (to the game) because of my decision. She’s genuinely upset, it’s not a show.”
For some reason, the name “Brent Calloway” comes to mind. And I don’t have the slightest idea why.
(Tip O’ the Cap: Kegs ‘N Eggs)
hahahaha, I’m sorry… that was too funny. You can’t script that reaction.
On a serious note… support your son!!!!!! Not every parent can say their child gets a full scholarship.
“I don’t understand why he would do suck a thing. LSU was offering way more money than ‘Bama”
- Landon Collins Mom
We wish him well at UA.
Crazycane: We don’t have the money Alabama has. We take 2 and 3 star high school athletes and make them into defensive players of the year, ala Tyrann.
Crazycane…lay off the cane bro….you’re a tool. Enough said. Thanks for playing.
Come on, tigersgeaux, you can’t play the underdog card here. Miles has had fine classes of 4 and 5 star talent. He just missed on Landon. It happens.
A parent can support their child, but still be upset with them when they make a mistake. But if Collins likes being on 2nd place teams, he’ll have a chance to do that for the next 3-4 years at Alabama. Go Tigers!!
You have to wonder if momma ain’t gonna have the last word in this decision. He has to come home sometimes during his college life.
He made the right choice. Kids staying and playing at their hometown school rarely works out… At Bama he will be a 3 and done guy no doubt…
crazycane says:
Jan 6, 2012 8:48 AM
“I don’t understand why he would do suck a thing. LSU was offering way more money than ‘Bama”
- Landon Collins Mom
__
More like the other way around from what I’ve heard about the deep pockets of Alabama boosters.
I can understand his mother’s perspective here. Geismar, LA, where Collins lives and plays football, is about half an hour from the LSU stadium, but Tuscaloosa is more than 5hrs. away. Of course she wants to see her son play almost every week, and have him close enough to have dinner and celebrate things with the family some nights and weekends, but it’s not going to happen if he’s so much farther away.
But aside from football preferences, Collins might have his reasons for wanting to head somewhere other than LSU. He might feel like he needs to get out and spread his wings a little. There’s any number of reasons he could see it as a good thing to not go to college just up the road from where he’s probably spent almost his whole life.
In the end, either is a good place to go to school if he wants to develop into a good player, compete for a conference and BCS championship, and make it to the NFL. His mother has the right to feel how she feels, but I think she ought to let it just be between her and her son, not in the public eye.
Also, it’s obvious Collins is attention-whoring here. If he made the decision two years ago, then why is he hemming and hawing, saying it’s a tough decision, and going through all these theatrics? Why wait until the UA game? Did he keep this from his mother for two years?
Three weeks of eating cold spinach might make Landon change his mind before Feb 1.
birdcen, get your nose out of your mom gooch. $ exchange flows through the SEC like the Mississippi River.
A nasty rumor went around that Collins took the money from ‘Bama, while his mother took the money from LSU, so they would end up with both. I’m usually the first to show distaste for the $EC’s unscrupulous culture, but it seems quite plausible that she just really likes the team that’s twenty miles away.
He will be a Tiger!!!!!!!!! Just wait and see
This was not his Mom, It’s his girlfriend .
With Trent Richardson leaving, it opens up a slot for a beneficiary of improper benefits. Hard to fault the kid for jumping on that. Carpe diem.
http://sportsbybrooks.com/tag/trent_richardson
Hey guys, he might have chosen ‘Bama for the education ….
No surprise that LSU fans are making bitter comments about Alabama having more money. So much for the good sportsmanship and SEC camaraderie they keep pretending
Alabama has quite a few defensive players as starting all Americans and starting NFL defenders. Nick Saban does well by his recruits, too. If Collins winds up at Alabama, I’m sure he’ll be happy he followed through on this decision. However, like JT, I’m reminded of Brent Calloway and will believe it when I see him in the uniform. But I won’t fault him if he changes his mind. No true Alabama fan could be angry at a kid who answers when Mama calls.
@carolinakid …
Yes, he might have chosen Bama for the education since Alabama ranks 31st and LSU ranks 63rd among the nation’s public universities. Perhaps he wanted a team that could prepare him for a professional career and provide a good education. Thank you for pointing that out. I’m sure you did so with a genuine heart.
@BrownsTown …
Really? You’re going to talk corruption in football? While sitting in that big glass house? Has Urban made the local tattoo parlors off-limits yet? And did Cleveland send anymore seriously concussed guys out onto the field of play with ZERO medical attention while I was away? From college to cannon fodder. Go Browns!
Here’s the great things about being an Alabama fan, in order:
1. Usually winning
2. Usually getting all the recruits we want.
3. Laughing at intensely butt-hurt fanbases due to #1 and #2
for those of yall saying thhat LSU turns 2-3 star players into studs…BAMA’s not too shabby at coaching kids up either…Mark Ingram was a 3* player who won the Heisman on his way to a National Championship…..
@ Deb….
You’re the best! Smack em’ all down!
When he gets drafte dinto NFL hsi mom will eb happy with all the bank she gets! By the way..WHERES DADDY??
@texbornlsufan
I too thought there was a good chance of him changing his mind UNTIL I read that Landon’s girlfriend is a HUGE Alabama fan and plans to attend college either there or somewhere in Alabama this coming fall. So who cares what Momma say’s, his girlfriend has something his momma can’t give him if you know what I mean and that is all it is going to take for him to sign those papers Feb 1st!!!
You can’t spell DELUSIONAL without L-S-U though, right?
@Brownstown
You my friend have a case of the dreaded GREEN EYED MONSTER!! Same song and dance every single time, Sabans leaving blah blah blah, improper benefits blah blah blah. I mean what jealous obsessed idiot took that much time writing that stupid article that you posted? You have to have NO LIFE whatsoever to take the time to write something like that. Guess what Mr. Brownstown, I guarantee you not ONE SINGLE Alabama fan gives a crap about what you think. We have other things to think about like PLAYING IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
@brownstown – with richardson going to the nfl how much cap space does that give alabama?
@ Deb
Him going to college for the education is like me going to a barber shop to buy groceries .
Lol, I loved that. I see this as a shaky commit, at best. Would love to have him at Bama.
She need not worry. Whatever the LSU boosters offered her, Bama boosters will double it. That’s how it works folks!
@Brownstown hearts @Deb
Deb,
“We” already took “our” medicine, so it feels great. A clear conscious is a great thing, so I will continue to cast judgement and wag my finger. “It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.”
lasseter1113,
Huh, when did I ever say Saban was leaving? No life? Says the guy responding to me and others with several paragraphs while investing the time varying the case to show emotion. So I have no life and you are one rung beneath me. Got it. I can deal with that.
And I don’t expect you to hear or care what I think. Sound doesn’t carry well through sand, so I only expect the NCAA to hear and care about what I, and SportsbyBrooks, thinks. Enjoy your national championship game and keep the receipt for the trophy if you win. The NCAA will be melting down that trophy at Cash4Gold in two years.
takingbovadasmoney,
A lot. They backloaded his contract and with him likely not staying for his senior year, it’ll be a nice amount of space to put towards other positions. They must have a good capologist.
Oh yes, the infamous “he must have been paid”. Gee maybe he wanted to attend school AWAY from home. RTR
@rolltide510
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
burntorangehorn says:
Jan 6, 2012 11:19 AM
A nasty rumor went around that Collins took the money from ‘Bama, while his mother took the money from LSU, so they would end up with both. I’m usually the first to show distaste for the $EC’s unscrupulous culture, but it seems quite plausible that she just really likes the team that’s twenty miles away.
__
A Texass fan talking about others paying players is the biggest joke on here EVER. UT hoards the lion’s share of the public college money in Texas to put towards facilities, which allows the boosters to use their money to play players (a fact that I have both witnessed for myself and have heard about from others who know former Shorthorn players who cashed in).
@burntorangehorn
Thanks for your 2 cents. Its obvious you have Tide envy, cause your Horns haven’t been the same since that fateful Jan night 2 years ago in Pasadena.
Maybe getting away from Mom was why he picked Bama!
@TxGrown ….
@BrownsTown …
Baby, James Harrison took Shurmur’s medicine. Nice of Goodell to deflect the media’s attention like that, wasn’t it? Anything ol’ Rog can do to distract Congress from looking too closely at league practices. As for OSU … well, I’d say you have about five minutes to enjoy that clear conscience. When will Urban start recruiting in earnest? Have they added beds in the local jails?
@carolinakid …
Going to Bama for an education is like you buying groceries at the barber shop? Guess that means we can blame the ignorance of your posts on an affinity for drinking witch hazel and dining on shaving cream. Bless your heart.
bozosforall says:Jan 6, 2012 4:09 PM
A Texass fan talking about others paying players is the biggest joke on here EVER. UT hoards the lion’s share of the public college money in Texas to put towards facilities, which allows the boosters to use their money to play players (a fact that I have both witnessed for myself and have heard about from others who know former Shorthorn players who cashed in).
==================================Such a completely ignorant statement. Where does one begin?
1. The Texas football program, which is the only one in the entire nation that is valued by the Wall Street Journal to be worth more than an NFL franchise (specifically the Jacksonville Jaguars), actually generates an enormous profit, whereas most college football programs (including Auburn’s) operate in the red. In fact, Texas has one of the few athletic departments that operates in the black instead of the red, and is entirely financially self-sustaining, as there is a firewall of money flow between the general university and the athletic department. Furthermore, the athletics program, anchored by the football program, actually contributes millions per year to the non-athletics portion of the university, and one would only need one hand to count the number of programs that can say that.
2. Find me even a single allegation, let alone smoke or fire, about a UT player’s receiving impermissible benefits. And if I thought you had any critical thinking or reading-comprehension skills, I would point you to this article on the strict atmosphere of compliance at UT, which apparently does not exist at most major programs:
http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com/2011/05/31/texas-football-and-institutional-control/
Maybe you’d better just shut your mouth now, bozo.
jason1214 says:Jan 6, 2012 4:15 PM
@burntorangehorn
Thanks for your 2 cents. Its obvious you have Tide envy, cause your Horns haven’t been the same since that fateful Jan night 2 years ago in Pasadena.
===============================
This has nothing to do with Texas. Did you even read my first two posts in this thread?
Anyway, I truly hope Texas never has another player who pulls one of these attention-whoring, immature hat tricks or look-at-me announcements at an all-star game. Darius White showed what those guys are deep down.
Deb,
There’s not a Browns insult in the world that can shake me. I’ve seen and heard it all. I’m iron tough in that department. Did you ever see the episode of Chappelle Show where Tyorne Biggums was on Fear Factor?
To clarify, that’s an analogy and I’m not a crack head
I feel for the Mom because I am a Mom myself (even though I am a huge Bama fan) but I understand where she is coming from. I do think Landon made the right decision though because if he wants to turn pro, Nick Saban is the man to learn defense from. Good luck to Landon and his family. Stay happy and healthy. RTR!
@BrownsTown …
No, never watched Chappelle’s show. His meltdown was interesting, though. Knew that spaghetti wouldn’t stick, but had fun throwing it. I can’t be too hard on the Browns. It’s like kicking a puppy–especially with Colt as the QB. He’s so tiny but he does give it his all
Seriously, though … Bama has a tough compliance department these days and that material on Brooks’s site has been thoroughly vetted. I’m not stupid or naive enough to bet my life on any program. But from what I’ve heard, I’m pretty confident there’s nothing to that particular story.
burntorangehorn says:
Jan 6, 2012 5:22 PM
bozosforall says:Jan 6, 2012 4:09 PM
A Texass fan talking about others paying players is the biggest joke on here EVER. UT hoards the lion’s share of the public college money in Texas to put towards facilities, which allows the boosters to use their money to play players (a fact that I have both witnessed for myself and have heard about from others who know former Shorthorn players who cashed in).
==================================Such a completely ignorant statement. Where does one begin?
1. The Texas football program, which is the only one in the entire nation that is valued by the Wall Street Journal to be worth more than an NFL franchise (specifically the Jacksonville Jaguars), actually generates an enormous profit, whereas most college football programs (including Auburn’s) operate in the red. In fact, Texas has one of the few athletic departments that operates in the black instead of the red, and is entirely financially self-sustaining, as there is a firewall of money flow between the general university and the athletic department. Furthermore, the athletics program, anchored by the football program, actually contributes millions per year to the non-athletics portion of the university, and one would only need one hand to count the number of programs that can say that.
2. Find me even a single allegation, let alone smoke or fire, about a UT player’s receiving impermissible benefits. And if I thought you had any critical thinking or reading-comprehension skills, I would point you to this article on the strict atmosphere of compliance at UT, which apparently does not exist at most major programs:
http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com/2011/05/31/texas-football-and-institutional-control/
Maybe you’d better just shut your mouth now, bozo.
__
Auburn LOSING money???
Not according to a 2011 Forbes article…in fact, none of the schools of the SEC report a loss (see the below chart), with only Vanderbilt not reporting any numbers due to the fact that as a private institution, they don’t have to.
Read ‘em and weep, idiot Shorthorn crybaby.
Football Profit
1 Univ. of Georgia $52,529,885.00
2 Univ. of Florida $44,258,193.00
3 Louisiana State Univ. $43,253,286.00
4 Univ. of Alabama $40,766,391.00
5 Univ. of Tennessee $39,236,601.00
6 Auburn Univ. $38,251,007.00
7 Univ. of South Carolina $35,471,948.00
8 Univ. of Arkansas $26,519,140.00
9 Univ. of Kentucky $17,984,848.00
10 Univ. of Mississippi $16,489,264
11 Mississippi State Univ. $4,600,178.00
12 Vanderbilt Univ. $0.00
You ready to eat that crow now, loser?
rolltide510 says:
Jan 6, 2012 1:45 PM
Here’s the great things about being an Alabama fan, in order:
1. Usually winning
2. Usually getting all the recruits we want.
3. Laughing at intensely butt-hurt fanbases due to #1 and #2
__________________________________
Here are the great things about not being an Alabama fan:
1. Having great football teams without paying for recruits.
2. Not having to live in a poor ass state that doesn’t field any professional sports teams.
3. Getting to laugh at Alabama fans because college football is all they have, and because ESPN makes them look like a bunch of Southern inbreds.
Furthermore, Texass idiot, ten of the twelve SEC football programs are in the top fifty athletic programs that are the most profitable in the country.
Time for you to go back to school, sonny.
@burntorangehorn
I was poking a little fun at you, RELAX
@trey14
Every heard of the SWC? And go ahead and think Alabama is the only school ever with rougue boosters. Back to 2012, conf championships and bcs title games SELL themselves
Gee thanks, bozosforall. It appears LSU does have more money than Alabama after all
Oh, trey14jewels, you must be a Big 10 fan. The bigotry is a dead giveaway. You lil Yankee boys grow up believing you’re bigger, smarter, and faster than everyone else. Then you lose to the Southern boys at football for a few years and think telling us we’re stupid and inbred will prove your penises are bigger after all. Poor things.
@ bozosforall:
I’m not trying to start a battle. I’m just answering the challenge you made. You said “Find me even a single allegation, let alone smoke or fire, about a UT player’s receiving impermissible benefits.” Colt McCoy’s wife said some players received some minor impermissible benefits during a radio interview.
@trey14
Oh yeah, every other team besides Alabama is squeaky clean, the northern teams NEVER have any controversy and they NEVER receive NCAA sanctions. Everybody everywhere but the south is perfect right?
Did it ever occur to you that Alabama fans don’t care what you think? Who cares if Alabama is all that we have, that is all that we need. I am plenty satisfied competing year after year for National Championships. You can call me a redneck, inbred, gump whatever your feeble little bigot mind can think of I don’t care as long as you know I am an Alabama fan. ROLL TIDE!!!!!
BUTT HURT NOTED!!!
What bigotry are you referring to? Because if you had read correctly, I merely stated that ESPN MADE YOU LOOK LIKE INBREDS. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you are one, and it doesn’t make me a bigot. I never said anything about the South either, only Alabama fans. In fact, you’ve outed yourself as the real bigot by using the term “yankees” and making generalizations. I mean come on, referring to Northerners as Yankees? Genetalia references? That’s real class lady. I don’t even want to laugh at you, but you make it too easy. I can’t argue that all Alabama fans are stupid, but I sure as hell can argue that you are.
If it’s any consolation Deb, atleast you are smarter than Lasseter1113.
@lasseter
1. I didn’t say any of that, you did.
2. Seems like alot of you care, you take the time to reply.
3. My original post was 3 reasons why I’m HAPPY that I’m not an Alabama fan. You’re the one that sounds “butt hurt”.
trey14jewels …
Did goblins steal your sense of humor? Bless your heart.
Living overseas, I was called a Yank myself and never realized it was a derogatory term. Sorry I offended your delicate sensibilities. To me, inbreds is derogatory, regardless of whether you’re couching it by saying ESPN makes Alabama fans “look like” inbreds. I haven’t found that to be the case, but I don’t consider Southern accents and team enthusiasm signs of inbreeding.
No, I guess it isn’t terribly ladylike to mention the male obsession with proving how, um, big they are. I suppose it would have been classier to talk about you being … uh … “butt hurt.” Nevertheless, you are ridiculing Southerners because you can’t beat our teams on the field. Say what you like, but it seems like a clear case of sore-loser shrinkage to me.
Bye
Priceless…No wonder Barry Sanders Jr. picked Stanford over playing at ‘Bama.
Deb says:
Jan 6, 2012 10:54 PM
Gee thanks, bozosforall. It appears LSU does have more money than Alabama after all
____
That is only one year. Other years, Alabama is slightly ahead of LSU, profit-wise.
@deb
Obviously not, that’s why I think its funny you throw around words like “bigot”, and apparently don’t know the meaning. Again, I never said anything about Southerners in general, only Alabama fans. The fact that you continue to equate everything I say to mean all Southerners speaks volumes about you.
I’ll let you continue to make your generalizations and assumptions, and hopefully you’ll eventually realize how stupid make yourself look. Wisconsin is 1-0 all-time against Alabama, so what do you call that? A satisfied-winner erection?
LC doesn’t want to sit behind Eric Reid again.
He played with Reid at Dutchtown and knows Reid is the better athlete and player. He can start right away at Bama. He would sit for at least a year at LSU.
Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if he doesn’t flip before its all said and done. Since he is a Louisiana kid, I wish him luck wherever he ends up at.