I got Rick flipping off UK fans on video @KySportsRadio pic.twitter.com/VPgUbRGM9H
— Seiver Tandy (@Fine_and_Tandy) December 26, 2015 Rick Pitino denies giving Kentucky fans the finger, but he TOTALLY gave them the finger
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Everyone is in a tizzy after footage emerged of Rick Pitino allegedly flipping off Kentucky fans following Louisville’s loss on Saturday. Pitino vehemently denies the gesture, but the explanation he gave ESPN is pretty weak.
Pitino told ESPN.com via text message, “No I didn’t flip off the fans. I was in the tunnel. People were yelling ugly crude things that I didn’t like. The 1-8 comment [Pitino’s record against Kentucky coach John Calipari] was fine. But the other comments I didn’t like.” Asked whether he gestured in any way toward the crowd, Pitino said, “My recollection was a, ‘we r #1.’”
Here’s the deal: Flipping off Kentucky fans would be totally justifiable -- especially if they were yelling crude things at you. That said, the likelihood Pitino was giving a “We are No.1” gesture is close to zero.
The video is difficult to see, given Pitino’s hand against the brick wall, but we’ve enhanced the image. It looks a LOT like a middle finger.
Perhaps Pitino makes the “No.1” gesture with his middle finger. That’s the only way to explain this, because he absolutely didn’t put up his index finger.
* * *
Reviewing 2015: It was just a great f**king year in sports
For more Nuff Said, check out SB Nation’s Nuff Said playlist on YouTube, which includes Matt Ufford’s takes on the Sportsman of the Year and the NFL’s terrible catch rules. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to SB Nation’s YouTube channel and look around our archives to watch Matt’s Westminster Dog Show petting challenge.
See More:
