LITTLE ROCK — Just stick to order next time
For pizza restaurant workers in the Columbus, Ohio, area, when it comes to Ohio State football, jokes are off limits.
At least, that might be the case after a college student was fired for cracking wise with the wife of Buckeyes defensive coordinator Luke Fickell while she placed an order.
Amy Fickell called Iacono’s Pizza on Sept. 27, and a Columbus State student - who wasn’t identified in newspaper reports - tossed a soft jab about the Buckeyes’ tackling two days before a road game at Michigan State.
“We really should improve on our tackling because it’s really bad right now,” he told Amy Fickell.
He said she laughed and seemed fine when she hung up the phone, but apparently she wasn’t. The next day he was told to call the owner.
Amy Fickell had complained that morning, and soon the student was without a job.
“She felt that I was belittling her,” the student told WSYX-TV in Columbus on Wednesday. “If you can’t take criticism, even in a joking manner from somebody who’s a fan, that’s a little bit ridiculous.”
An Ohio State spokesman said it “would not be uncommon for a consumer to register a complaint with a retail manager over a negative experience.”
“It is unfortunate that this individual has lost his job,” the statement said. “But the responsibility for this should not rest with the Fickell family.”
That’s little consolation to the guy out of work.
“It was a joke,” he said. “It was like, ‘Let’s do better.’ ”
The Buckeyes did, allowing a season-low 303 yards in a 17-16 victory over the Spartans.
Weathering a loss
The week’s award for worst excuse goes to LSU linebacker Kevin Minter.
In the aftermath of a 14-6 loss to Florida, Minter pointed out the critical difference in the Tigers’ stamina not holding up.
“It is Florida,” Minter told The Shreveport Times. “The humidity is ridiculous.”
What?
According to the National Weather Service, the average temperature and relative humidity in October for Baton Rouge is 80.8 degrees and 59 percent.
In Gainesville, Fla.? Try 82.1 degrees and 60 percent.
Here’s a better answer: Florida has a functioning offense.
Whose the twit now?
It isn’t uncommon for Twitter to produce cases of mistaken identity, which usually don’t end well.
Take Formula 1 racing superstar Lewis Hamilton, whose announced move from McLaren to Mercedes next year caused a stir among fellow drives. That included teammate Jenson Button.
Or so Hamilton thought when he noticed Button stopped following him on the social media website.
“Just saw @Jensonbutton unfollowed, that’s a shame,” Hamilton wrote. “After 3 years as teammates, I thought we respected one another but clearly he doesn’t.”
Potentially, more than 1.1 million followers could have seen the rift.
Only it wasn’t Button’s account, which left Hamilton sheepish.
“My bad, just found out Jenson never followed me. Don’t blame him! Need to be on Twitter more!”
That, or actually talk to Button face to face.
Quote of the day We could go up against anybody at anytime.” San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford
Sports, Pages 18 on 10/12/2012