Former LSU star tells wild story from 2001 that makes a beloved former Vol WR look bad
Former LSU Tigers defensive back Ryan Clark told a wild story this week about former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Kelley Washington and the 2001 SEC Championship game that doesn't reflect kindly on Washington. Clark, who now works for ESPN, appeared this week on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will and told a story about an interaction […]
Former LSU Tigers defensive back Ryan Clark told a wild story this week about former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Kelley Washington and the 2001 SEC Championship game that doesn't reflect kindly on Washington.
Clark, who now works for ESPN, appeared this week on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will and told a story about an interaction he had with Washington immediately after LSU's 31-20 win.
According to Clark, Washington told him walking off the field that he was fine with losing to LSU because he was going to be a first-round draft pick. Clark said Washington also told him (Clark) that he'd never play a down in the NFL.
Washington ended up playing another year at Tennessee and he was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. The former Vol played in the NFL from 2003 to 2010, totaling 120 receptions for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Clark, meanwhile, went undrafted in 2002. But he made the New York Giants' roster and ended up spending 13 seasons in the NFL.
One other interesting thing about the conversation that Clark had with The Zone is that he admits that Tennessee should've beat LSU in the 2001 SEC Championship game (the loss cost the Vols a shot at the national championship).
"They lost a game they definitely shouldn't have," said Clark. "I think they were the better team. They kind of showed it early on in the season."
That loss to LSU in 2001 is still one of the most painful losses in Tennessee Vols history. I imagine that had a lot to do with Washington's salty comments to Clark after the game.
Featured image via Michael Patrick, Michael Patrick/News Sentinel
