Rece Davis is an Alabama alumnus. But more than that, Rece Davis is a company man. He's worked for ESPN for a long time, and he's hosted College GameDay for a decade now. He's going to come to the defense of the network and the show, even when his back is against the wall.
On Thursday, it was announced that this week's College GameDay guest picker, live from Tuscaloosa, would be Theo Von, a comedian with no ties to the University of Alabama. One who lives in Nashville, and his friendly with Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia to boot.
Alabama fans were justifiably upset, as it fits the pattern that seems to only happen when the show is in Tuscaloosa: a guest picker with no ties to the University of Alabama. It's the first time that's been the case this season. It's far from the first time it's been the case for Alabama.
Von is just the latest, joining the likes of Rick Ross, Nate Bargatze, Eric Church, Jake Peavy, and Marcus Lutrell, among others, who have been the guest pickers on College GameDay in Tuscaloosa.
Davis was asked about the decision by reporters on Friday. His reasoning was as ridiculous as you would expect.
"I haven't heard anybody complain about Nick (Saban) being up there every week," Davis said with a smirk. ..."If you're talking association, is there anyone more associated with Alabama than Nick Saban?"
"We're delighted to have Theo Von because he's a big-time star. If there's some people who would prefer to see a former player, I understand that and they have a right to think that. I respect that and it's understandable...I love the fact that people are passionate enough to be unhappy about it, but at the same time, it's fun. They're picking games, and he (Von) is in the business of fun."
Rece Davis's defense of College GameDay's gest picker decision misses the mark for Alabama fans
I love Rece Davis. He's great at his job. He also loves Alabama. He's good at hiding it because he's a pro. But he loves Alabama. And yet, he's 100% wrong in this line of thinking.
When College GameDay goes to Ohio State, does he tell Buckeyes fans they are S.O.L. because Kirk Herbstreit is on set every week? The last four guest pickers when GameDay has been at Ohio State are all former players: A.J. Hawk, Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and A.J. Hawk again.
What about when GameDay goes to Ann Arbor, does he tell Michigan fans tough luck because Desmond Howard is on set every week? You know the answer. The last two GameDay guest pickers from Ann Arbor were Michael Phelps (Michigan fan) and former player Aidan Hutchinson.
But apparently Alabama fans have to accept guest pickers with no ties to the school - and worse yet, who are active fans of the opposing team - because Saban works for College GameDay?
That excuse doesn't work the way he hoped it might. It especially doesn't work considering this is Saban's second season on College GameDay, and this has been an issue going back more than a decade.
And it's an issue that will continue for Alabama. But you can bet - wherever GameDay goes next week - they'll have a former player or someone with ties to the school they are visiting as the guest picker.