Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo goes on epic rant against Brian Curley taunting

A moment in the Georgia–Kennesaw State baseball game on Tuesday night unexpectedly went viral, even reaching ESPN on various programs like SportsCenter and First Take.

The moment?

Georgia closer Brian Curley turned just before throwing the final strike of the game, looking over his shoulder at the lead runner on second base. He fixed his glance for a minute, then did what can only be described as a taunting tongue wag at the runner. Then he fired the final strike, earned the winning out and tossed his glove off before flexing to the dugout.

You can watch the full interaction here.

The gesture immediately drew some vociferous backlash on First Take from host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.

“I’ve had it with these young athletes, young athletes who based on social media want to taunt when they win. You see the latest? The Georgia baseball team,” Russo said, introducing a segment ripping on the move. “Now Georgia baseball against Kennesaw State, the pitcher Brian Curley gets the last out of the game. Look, he sticks his tongue at the base runner at second base. Throws a curveball, gets the out and then tosses his glove away.

“I mean you’ve got to be kidding me. This is February 17. It’s freezing in America. This is not the end of the College World Series. This is not Game 7 of the World Series. I mean look at that, he throws his glove. Kennesaw State! They didn’t beat LSU for the championship in Omaha.”

Georgia did win the game, posting a 6-4 result after falling behind 4-0 in the game. So there was something to celebrate.

But to Russo, the taunting — moments before the final out was recorded, no less — was emblematic of a bigger problem in sports these days.

“This is the big problem we have in sports, they think they’ve got to show off every time they win,” Russo said. “How about the old Chuck Noll argument, the old Pittsburgh Steelers coach? When you win, act like you’ve been there before.

“And then these coaches say, ‘I’ve got to pick my battles. I can’t go out there and tell my kids to go out there and act dignified after a win.’ Pick your battles? You want your player representing you like that? Or is going to make fun of Kennesaw State, for crying out loud, in February? I mean you must be kidding me.”

There is one slight problem with Russo’s argument, though.

Georgia coach Wes Johnson was tossed from the game in the top of the seventh inning, escorted by police out of the stadium as fans jeered at him.

Johnson watched as a pitch-clock violation was called on Georgia pinch hitter Bryce Clavon. He came out to argue the call and was promptly ejected. So he wasn’t there to potentially correct any untoward behavior from his pitcher in the closing stages of the game.

Either way, the whole thing left Russo fuming.

“I hate that stuff. It drives me crazy,” he said. “It’s been going on way too long. The showboating after wins, I’ve had it. You can call me an old man, call me whatever you want. I’ve been following sports for 55 years, I’ve had enough of it.”