Michelle Smallmon has chosen the Green Bay Packers.
That’s the verdict from the “NFL Bachelorette” segment on ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike, which challenged the ESPN host to choose a new favorite NFL team. The former St. Louis Rams fan had not cheered for a team since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 2016.
That prompted her Unsportsmanlike show to make a video recently spoofing The Bachelorette, showing Smallmon’s quest for a new team. She appeared on several ESPN Radio affiliates to hear local hosts pitch why she should pick their NFL team, and also took calls from fans, including one that led to a viral moment.
On Wednesday’s Unsportsmanlike, Smallmon revealed her choice — the Packers. But not before she faked everyone out by mentioning the Chicago Bears, from her native Illinois.
“I’ve always been jealous of my friends who are Bears fans, because they have the ‘Monsters of the Midway,’ they’re tough, right there on the water, in Chicago. They have a perfect identity. … and you guys know how important home is to me. Which is why I’m giving my final rose — wait a minute, I don’t live there anymore, I don’t live in Illinois anymore … give it to the Green Bay Packers.”
THE FINAL ROSE GOES TO THE GREEN BAY PACKERS 🌹
EVERYBODY GETS CHEESE 🧀
GO PACK GO 🗣️@msmallmon pic.twitter.com/XA1bc9Kt93
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) September 4, 2024
Smallmon pulled out a Packers jersey, along with some containers of cheese for everyone.
The host had originally narrowed her choices to six teams, including the Bears, Bengals, Jets, 49ers and Dolphins.
But she opted for the Packers (could it be because they have a quarterback named (Jordan) Love?). Smallmon told ESPN Milwaukee’s Wilde & Tausch show that she really did almost pick the Bears.
“The Bears were right there, I’m not going to lie to you,” Smallmon said. She then revealed she visited a thrift store.
“The first shirt I pulled out was a Green Bay Packers shirt,” Smallmon said. “There’s no reason not to go with the Packers. ‘This is the universe slapping you in the face, Michelle, and you better listen.'”
How close was new #Packers fan @msmallmon to becoming a 𝘽𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 fan instead?! 🧀
🌹 Our full conversation with @UnSportsESPN’s NFL Bachelorette on YouTube: https://t.co/V93mmnDXuK pic.twitter.com/tBy5zjO0vR
— Wilde & Tausch (@WildeAndTausch) September 4, 2024
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.