Still miffed over what he perceived as a Heisman invitation snub for Bryce Petty, Baylor head coach Art Briles challenged those in attendance at the BIG 12 Media Days Monday to "[g]o to a Dairy Queen in Salem, Oregon, and ask if they’ve heard of” the Bears’ starting quarterback.
Radio personality and Oregonian writer John Canzano -- or, more specifically, one of his assistants -- took up that challenge. The results? Let’s just say you’ll have to go outside that area to find a charter member of the “Bryce Petty Fan Club.”
As Canzano explained, his production assistant called the six official Dairy Queen franchises in Salem and asked employees if they’ve ever heard of Petty. Suffice to say, hilarity -- and a little bit of an egg-flavored Blizzard on Briles’ face -- ensued.“I’ve never heard of him,” said one male (West Salem) Dairy Queen employee, who was asked if he knew Petty or Briles. “You know you called a fast food restaurant, right? Are those like owners of Dairy Queens or employees?”
Another male Dairy Queen employee at the Mission Street location said, “I’m not familiar with it at all, I can ask my manager.”
The manager said, “I have no idea. I don’t know.”
The best employee reaction when asked if anyone knew Bryce Petty.
“Like a dog?”
So, there you have it, in scientific black and white -- Dairy Queen employees in the great city of Salem, Or., have no earthly clue who the hell Bryce Petty is.
Now, the obvious question becomes: has anyone in a (name a city in), Tex., Hardee’s ever heard of Marcus Mariota? Hey, this could be kind of a fun game.
By the way, kudos to Baylor and Petty for having a little fun with this situation, which you can view on Instagram HERE.