Mississippi State Coach Says Entering Field on Four-Wheeler Is a 'Life Lesson,’ and Fans Were Confused
Mississippi State interim head coach Greg Knox led the Bulldogs onto the field while driving a four-wheeler ahead of their Egg Bowl clash against Ole Miss. Knox could be seen riding the ATV in front of his players as they made their entrance to the game on Thanksgiving Day at Davis Wade Stadium.
When asked why he led his team onto the field on a four-wheeler, Knox told ESPN’s Cole Cubelic that it was about “handling adversity.”
“This is about handling adversity. Opposition. When you face things that are tough in life, this is a life lesson. And this is what we learned in the 11 days I’ve been here. This is a life lesson,” said Knox, before accelerating forward and leading his team onto the field.
Why are you bringing this team out on this 4 Wheeler?? “This is about handling adversity, this is a life lesson” - Words to live by. pic.twitter.com/8HczzfuHxu
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) November 24, 2023
It’s not the first appearance Knox’s four-wheeler has made this season. He was seen driving around on the ATV ahead of Mississippi State’s win over Southern Miss last week.
After that game, reports explained that the four-wheeler was inspired by a video from former Tennessee player and motivational speaker Inky Johnson entitled "Go Heavy," in which Johnson recalls falling off of a four-wheeler with his son, but pushing to get up and ride again.
Knox and his players have bought into the message, and thus, the four-wheeler entrance continued into Thursday night's rivalry game.
But while Knox's explanation for taking the field on a four-wheeler might make sense to his players and those who follow the Bulldogs closely, the comments outside of context left college football fans confused, as they struggled to make the connection between handling adversity and his bold entrance.
I’m very inspired???
— James Hill (@jameshillSID) November 24, 2023
When the going gets tough, instead of walking to work, take a gasoline-powered ATV. Life lesson #476
— Bob Smith (@CollegeFBskook) November 24, 2023
I’m gonna be still mulling around this in my brain next week, trying to understand the deep meaning
— Jon-Michael Harris (@JhypenM65) November 24, 2023
The Egg Bowl is an American treasure https://t.co/tPjZIHLLNS
— Ben Showtime Spicer (@BSpicerMedia) November 24, 2023
I’m not going to stop thinking about this for a long time. https://t.co/sDMwvNHrtZ
— Jorge Escalante (@EscalanteBrew) November 24, 2023
What adversity can you not handle with a 4-wheeler? I've yet to find out. https://t.co/f2BLW4JJvf
— Connor Ferguson (@cfchangs9) November 24, 2023