Marco Wilson doubles down on decision to throw shoe against LSU
Most folks would probably like a do-over on a moment that caused them immense public embarrassment. Not Marco Wilson! The former Florida defensive back became infamous in 2020 for blowing the Gators’ chances at the College Football Playoff when he received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a key moment of a late-season game vs. LSU.
The score was tied at 34 with just under two minutes to play when Wilson helped make a tackle on Tiger tight end Kole Taylor well ahead of the first down marker when it was third down. However, during the takedown, Taylor’s shoe fell off and wound up in Wilson’s hands.
What happened next is a folk legend in the American southeast as Marco Wilson catapulted the shoe across the field to earn a 15-yard flag, giving LSU a first down and a second chance to go win the game on their final possession — and they made good on that opportunity.
That single shoe toss resulted in an 8-1 Florida team losing its regular season finale to a 3-5 LSU squad to knock the Gators out of possible College Football Playoff contention. Yet, years later, Wilson has zero regrets about the ordeal.
He was asked on the Footballville podcast if he would still throw the shoe if he had a chance to go back and re-do that play. Wilson’s answer: “100%. I’d probably throw it further.”
Top 10
- 1
Nico Iamaleava update
Josh Heupel provides latest on Tennessee QB
- 2
Kirk calls out trash throwing
Herbstreit: "Enough is enough, clowns"
- 3
Ole Miss storms field
Celebration starts too early after beating Georgia
- 4
Herbstreit 'retired' from CFP show
College football analyst no longer on Tuesday rankings reveal
- 5
Tour of Oxford
Goalposts visit local landmarks after Georgia upset
There you have it Florida fans. Knowing the consequences of missing out on a potential playoff opportunity and losing a crucial late-season game, Marco Wilson would “100%” still make the same boneheaded mistake to cost his team the game.
You can watch that little clip of him on the podcast right here:
What has good ole Marco Wilson been up to lately? Well, he’s actually off to a pretty nice start to his pro career. Despite his calamitous misstep in the LSU game of the previous fall, Wilson still caught the eye of NFL scouts and wound up being a fourth round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, the Cards have had it pretty rough in the last year or so and seem to be headed towards another tough season. But that’s given Wilson an opportunity to shine. He stepped right in as a starting cornerback the last two seasons, playing in 28 games while starting in 26.
His 2022 season was particularly strong, as he picked off three passes while racking u 58 tackles and 10 pass deflections. The former Gator is looking like a real part of the future in Arizona.