Paul Finebaum

ESPN and SEC Network radio host Paul Finebaum is no stranger to odd callers. From the tree poisoners to the unintelligible screamers, Finebaum’s daily four-hour radio and TV show is a carnival of characters with a little sports analysis and special guests thrown in from time to time.

During Thursday’s show, Finebaum received a call from “Chris from Knoxville” who called in as a normal caller and began to praise Tennessee football head coach Butch Jones. “Chris” turned out to be Chris Weatherd, a junior linebacker who plays for Jones in Knoxville after transferring last season from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. Weatherd had 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season for the Volunteers.

Finebaum didn’t recognize the name and slowly figured out — through questioning this caller — who he was. He agreed with Weatherd on the culture change happening at Tennessee and the optimism surrounding the program.

“I’m like a lot of people,” Finebaum said. “I’m tempted to pick Tennessee but I need some more time. Regardless of whether I would go Georgia or Tennessee, I think the world of Butch Jones, I’m part of the army that is touting Tennessee as the next great team.”

They agreed on everything Weatherd said, but it was an awkward exchange.

If Weatherd wants to be a scheduled guest that’s one thing, but as a caller he needs hotter takes and a much, much louder volume. Let’s just hope he didn’t have to wait too long to get his call put through to Paul.

H/T Saturday Down South

About Jonathan Biles

Jonathan Biles is a staff writer for Awful Announcing.