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ESPN’s Jesse Palmer lashes out at Florida fan with ‘friend zone’ joke during broadcast
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ESPN’s Jesse Palmer lashes out at Florida fan with ‘friend zone’ joke during broadcast

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Florida Gators fans were not exactly thrilled on Saturday, as they watched their team fall to 1-2 on the season after a 13-point home loss to Texas A&M.

ESPN anchor Jesse Palmer, who also quarterbacked at Florida, added insult to injury when he criticized a fan who was surrounded by several young women in the stands.

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Jesse Palmer walks across the field

ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer walks onto the field before a game between the Florida Gators and Texas A&M Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, on September 14, 2024. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

“He’s got a mustache, you don’t see him now, but he’s smacking his shirt over his hand,” the former college football player said. “I’m going to make a bold prediction. I’m going to say that guy is in the friend zone.”

Joe Tessitore, who was reporting the match live, praised Palmer for his ‘analysis’.

“I’ve seen it firsthand in my other job,” Palmer added. “… I’m going to say he’s a good listener.”

Texas A&M took a 20-point lead over Florida in the first half. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed had a touchdown pass to Theo Melin Ohrstrom and then ran in one with 44 seconds left in the second quarter.

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Graham Mertz looks at the field

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, left, looks after receiver/tight end Hayden Hansen, #89, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. (AP photo/John Raoux)

Florida didn’t get on the board until Graham Mertz found Elijah Badger for a 14-yard touchdown pass with 11:49 left in the third quarter. Reed struck again, however, with his second touchdown pass of the game to Cyrus Allen. Bryce Anderson then returned a Mertz pass 45 yards for a touchdown.

The Aggies won the game 33-20.

“I have no excuse,” Napier said when asked why he was booed when a public service announcement was played in the stadium. “I have no negative comments about it. At the end of the day, we play a certain way in this arena, you get criticized. This is one of those places where there is history, tradition and expectations.

Graham Mertz drops back

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (left) looks for a receiver as offensive lineman Austin Barber (center) blocks Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (number 4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. (AP photo/John Raoux)

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“If you play ugly, and it doesn’t look exactly the way we all want it to, then, hey, that’s part of it. I probably would have done the same thing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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