Za'Darius Smith sports USC gear after losing bet with former Gamecock

Former Kentucky pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith still reps his beloved Wildcats — except after losing bets to former Gamecocks.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Nick Muse, who played at South Carolina from 2019 to 2021, made a bet with Smith on UK’s game against USC on Saturday. Whoever’s former school took home the loss would be forced to wear the opposing team’s gear on camera for the world to see.

You know the rest of the story. Kentucky falls in disappointing fashion at home by a final score of 24-14 to move to 4-2 on the year. Meanwhile, Shane Beamer danced and wore sunglasses at Mark Stoops’ expense.

Now, Smith has paid up on his bet, sporting a South Carolina t-shirt and hat following the frustrating loss.

“That boy looks good,” Muse said on his Instagram story. “Hit them with a, ‘Climate over culture.'”

“I’m not saying nothing,” Smith responded. “Go on and get your picture.”

“I got me a good video, I’m getting all the good angles.”

“Bro, come on.”

Former @UKFootball LB @zadariussmith loses a bet to former @GamecockFB TE @NickMuse5 😂🐔 #ClimateOverCulture

🎥:@NickMuse5 pic.twitter.com/PnvryaFYzM

— Brice ATL (@BriceATL) October 10, 2022

The “climate over culture” comment is a direct shot at Stoops and the comments he made on the Marty and McGee Show back in August.

“I’ve talked years and years ago about climate vs. culture,” he said at the time. “It’s easy to change a climate. You just change a uniform, talk a little game, dance around, put on some stupid sunglasses, and you can change a climate. But to change a culture is at the core. I’m quite certain we’ve changed our culture.“

Those comments came after Beamer danced to Soulja Boy sporting a backward cap and sunglasses before SEC Media Days.

Get that mic ready pic.twitter.com/4PtICIuh0Z

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) July 19, 2022

After beating Stoops on his own turf, Beamer made sure to throw that grenade right back.

“Make sure we’re classy in our postgame with the media, but in SEC Media Days, he talked about stupid sunglasses and dancing,” Beamer told his players.

Then came the backward hat, sunglasses and dancing to Soulja Boy.

Climate check 😎 pic.twitter.com/z9yv0lY14e

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 9, 2022

Brutal.

As for Big Z, he’s racked up 11 tackles (eight solo) and 3.5 sacks in five games for the Vikings this season. It’s his eighth year in the NFL, previously spending time in Baltimore (2015-18) and Green Bay (2019-21). He’s recorded 238 tackles, 48 sacks, eight forced fumbles and seven pass deflections over the course of his career.

He’s certainly represented Kentucky well in the league. Unfortunately for him, he had no choice but to sport enemy colors this weekend.