Former LSU offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert participated in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) today. One of the first questions asked was concerning the BCS Title Game in New Orleans against Alabama. You probably have read the all of the message board comments from folks trying to blame the loss on locker room fights to NFL coaches helping Alabama and Coach Saban with their schemes for the BCS Title game. Well, Hebert gives his own recollection of what happened or should I say what didn’t happen.
"I don’t think your going to like what I have to say, however it is the honest truth. Nothing out of the ordinary happened the night before the game. I understand why it seems like that absolutely cannot be the case. We beat 9 ranked teams, we beat the Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and National Champions that year. We won every game by at least 10 points with the exception of Alabama and nine of those came against ranked teams. We set school records for largest margin of victory against multiple SEC opponents. Had we won the National Championship we could have arguably been considered the greatest team of all time. How in the WORLD do you go from this to not even crossing the 50 yard line??? I do not know. Yes, Alabama had the best defense I have ever played against (I think almost two deep played in the NFL) but that is still no excuse for not being able to do anything. There must be a reason… and on the surface there appears to be one. Because we suffered this terrible loss, combined with the drama with my Dad and Les Miles in the press conference after the game, and topped off that myself/Russell Shepard/Jarrett Lee didn’t play a single down in that game rumors started to swirl that there had been drama in the week/night before the game. None of them are true. Me and Jordan never fought. I didn’t stage a revolution to try to get anyone subbed in. I’ve heard a 100 different stories of what supposedly took place. Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. I went into that game fully expecting to play. I knew I wasn’t starting anymore (got pulled the last four games following a personal foul against western kentucky) but in the other games I was still filling in at all the three interior positions as a rotator. The fact that I didn’t play is still one of the most shameful points of my career. Everybody wanted to win the game. The coaches stood to gain nothing by losing and if I didn’t play that means that they flat out didn’t think I could help them win. That bugs the hell out of me because I think I had proven to them that wasn’t the case but that apparently I was wrong. I didn’t get to touch the field during my final college football game and I will never be able to get an opportunity like that back. It will always bug me but thats just life I guess. Losing the National Championship like we did was like watching a life time of work evaporate before my eyes. To work so hard and be so close to achieving literally every goal you had set and then to fail so spectacularly will annoy me for the rest of my life. But, all in all I take positive memories from LSU as I had some amazing and truly unforgettable experiences both at the school and in Tiger Stadium."
Yes, LSU fans. According to Hebert, nothing happened. Perhaps it is time to move on now, pick up the pieces and try to carry on with your lives.
This is spectacular and solid gold. On having to play Bama again:
"At the time we were all in. We took the mindset we didn’t care who we had to play. Looking back it really pisses me off hahaha. It frustrates me to no end that they got back in the National Championship game without even winning their half of the conference. I believe Ok St did enough to get a chance for us to steamroll them xD. But like I said, I will never stop being bugged by it, I am going to be a miserable old man complaining about how those damn Bama punks should have never been allowed back in. At the end of the day however, you don’t really have a leg to stand on because we still had a chance to win the natty we just got our butts kicked."
Hebert also had some comments about stadiums in the SEC.
"So many great stadiums. Alabama post the 100,000 upgrade was probably the loudest by a hair (also that was the “Game of the Century so that might factor in). The Swamp was always tough and probably second toughest but winning there my JR year was one of the greatest memories of my life. No one talks trash like the swamp as the fans are right on top of you. Getting called a fatass all game and then winning felt good. South Carolina’s stadium had an incredible atmosphere. It felt like everyone was good friends just wanting to party. Almost like a giant rowdy high school game. UGA was also pretty great. I grew up in Ga and went to a bunch of games when I was being recruited and being an LSU fan that grew up in enemy territory it was really nice to get a win in Athens my first year starting in 09. Auburn’s is ok. It sucked losing to Cam Newton but it was never to hard to communicate. Plus, that stupid 2 bits cheer is the least intimidating thing I have ever heard. Going to West Virginia was a great experience and playing back to back games in Jerry World (Dallas Stadium? I dk the name) was great. We beat A&M in the Cotton Bowl and then opened with your Ducks the next season.In terms of loudness 1. Bama (post upgrade) 2. Florida 3. UGA 4. South Carolina 5. AuburnHonorable Mention: Miss St. for being the most annoying place ever with 50,000 cowbells"
You can read the entire Reddit AMA with Hebert here.
Feature Image Courtesy of UA Media Relations