Talking mushrooms, like the health benefits lions mane, with Bill Walton on a Saturday night might typically be the result of a fortunate weekend encounter or perhaps a dream fueled by… let’s say a bit too much fun.
But that’s what happened for the ESPN viewing audience and play-by-play broadcaster Dave Pasch during Saturday night’s UCLA-Oregon telecast. And all you had to do was watch TV.
Walton’s adventure before Saturday’s game involved going mushroom hunting with a couple of researchers. Along the way, the scientists introduced Walton to a particular species of mushroom growing on a tree branch that reindeer often eat. Hey, if it’s good for reindeer, it’s good for us, right?
Given the OK to go in and take a bite, Walton took a big chomp on the fungus. Take a look:
Bill Walton gnaws on a tree branch to try wild fungus like a reindeer pic.twitter.com/NEEP2iBzKf
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 21, 2018
By now, Pasch probably isn’t surprised by anything Walton says or does. And really, wouldn’t most of us value the opportunity to hear Walton talk at length about many subjects — but especially mushrooms? During a free throw attempt early in the first half, Walton elaborated on what he either learned or already knew after his expedition.
Bill Walton is here to teach you about mushrooms pic.twitter.com/aNHXd2CJuo
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 21, 2018
“I have found that mushrooms only help you,” explained Walton. “There are basically three million species of mushrooms around the world. And here in the state of Oregon, we have the humongous fungus. Remember, ‘fungus’ is singular, ‘fungi’ is plural.”
Bill Walton during UCLA-Oregon: “This is a foam roller, with a vibrator inside.” Mic drop.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 21, 2018
Later in the telecast, Walton talked about something more pertinent to the game, showing Pasch the vibrating foam roller that Oregon players have been using for recover after workouts.
More interesting than the vibrating foam roller was Walton’s reaction when Pasch said he’d used a foam roller before. “That’s the first yes I’ve ever gotten out of you, in how many years now?” said Walton. Maybe the two rolled out some kinks after three hours of sitting down later on, perhaps while enjoying some mushrooms.
Speaking of which, Walton had the final word on mushrooms, shortly before halftime and preceding a ringing endorsement of Oregon’s national forests and parks that surely made the chamber of commerce smile.
I could listen to Bill Walton describe Oregon natural parks for hours #Mushrooms #NotMushroomClouds pic.twitter.com/8Wco2qDozO
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) January 21, 2018
“More mushrooms, no mushroom clouds.” Thanks, Uncle Bill. I know what I’m getting on my pizza during Sunday’s NFL conference championship games.
About Ian Casselberry
Ian is a writer, editor, and podcaster. You can find his work at Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He's written for Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation.