Grind City Football: It’s Lights … Camera … Rosen as outspoken UCLA quarterback invades Memphis
Michael WallaceBy Phil Stukenborg
Grind City Media CorrespondentAs a platform for his outspoken views, Twitter is not able to sufficiently contain UCLA quarterback Joshua `Josh’ Ballinger Lippincott Rosen.
In his junior season at UCLA, Rosen performs on a stage – big media market, storied Pac-12 program – that attracts the brightest of spotlights. Projected by some to be a top five NFL Draft pick in 2018, Rosen deftly uses the power that position affords.
Since becoming the Bruins’ starting quarterback as a freshman, he has confidently stepped into the pocket of controversy, sharing opinions on the challenges of adequately juggling football and academics.
“Look, football and school don’t go together,” Rosen told Bleacher Report entering the season. “Trying to do both is like trying to do two full-time jobs. There are guys who have no business being in school, but they’re here because this is the path to the NFL. There’s no other way.”
The part of that interview back in August that gained the most traction – and perhaps scrutiny – was when Rosen targeted Alabama’s football program, winners of four national titles the past eight years, while attempting to make a larger point about academic standards.
“Then, there’s the other side that says raise the SAT eligibility requirements,” Rosen continued last month. “OK, raise the SAT requirements at Alabama and see what kind of team they have. You lose athletes and then the product on the field suffers.”
Rosen makes his first trip to the South since those polarizing statements when the No. 25-ranked Bruins face the Memphis Tigers (1-0) Saturday in a nationally televised game on ABC at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. He is among a growing number of college athletes expressing their opinions on a variety of subjects. Unlike a generation ago, athletes have social media as a powerful, far-reaching outlet.
We talk to them a lot about it … We tell them, ‘Everything you put on social media you are accountable for.’ And that’s not just players, that’s coaches, too. If I post something on social media, that speaks to who I am. They understand if they post something that doesn’t represent themselves, our program, or their families in the right way, they are going to be held accountable for it.
— Memphis Tigers coach Mike NorvellClearly unafraid to speak his mind, Rosen generates headlines like he racks up yards. But at the moment, it’s his play that’s creating the biggest buzz. Two weeks ago, Rosen engineered a miraculous comeback when he rallied UCLA from a 34-point second half deficit for a 45-44 win over Texas A&M.
It’s all part of the Rosen package.
Described as strong-armed and free-spirited, Rosen admits he comes from privilege. His father is a respected orthopedic surgeon and his mother is the great-great granddaughter of Joseph Wharton, the founder of the Wharton School at Penn. Rosen has interned at a wealth management firm and his goal is to eventually head a venture capital company in New York City.
“I have contacts that will do me well in life,” Rosen told CBS Sports. “I will be OK without football. I want to fight for the people who won’t be OK.”
The combination of Rosen’s background and his success on the field, where he has completed 41 of 51 passes for 621 yards and 9 touchdowns with no interceptions the past five quarters for the 2-0 Bruins, has made his voice heard.
Those remarks aren’t particularly shocking from Rosen, the son of Ivy League-educated parents. Last year, he told CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd it was disingenuous to call college football an amateur sport.
“I love (UCLA) coach (Jim) Mora to death, but if they want to call it an amateur sport, hire amateur coaches,” he said. “Don’t have TV deals. Don’t have 100,000 people in the stands and don’t sell tickets.”
Mora has said in multiple interviews that his outspoken quarterback must be willing to deal with the consequences following bold or controversial statements.
It’s the same sentiment expressed by Memphis coach Mike Norvell, whose team doesn’t have a player as outspoken as Rosen. Norvell said he doesn’t enforce a no-tweet policy, but informs his players – in much fewer than 140 characters – to think before they post.
Norvell said he’s never considered an in-season ban of social media because, as he describes it, being active on social media “is the world we live in.”
“If I could get off it I would,” Norvell said. “But it’s so important for recruiting.”
Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson looks forward to his showdown with UCLA’s Josh Rosen on the field, but knows he’s no match for the popular passer when it comes to social media. – Photo credit: University of Memphis Athletics
Receiver Anthony Miller, among the Tigers’ most outspoken players, is not afraid to express opinions, but rarely incites on social media, especially during the season.
“I’m not that active,” Miller said. “I might post a picture on Instagram every now and then. But not too many tweets, not too many Snapchats. I know nowadays there’s always someone watching (what I post). During the offseason, I may be on it a little bit more.”
Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson is also low key when it comes to in-season social media.
“I try to stay away from all the stuff during the season,” Ferguson admitted. “I really don’t post a lot. I may look at (social media), but I post, maybe, once in a blue moon. I think I posted one time on Instagram during fall camp. I haven’t posted again since. I guess I really need to get into it more because I could brand myself. I need to get better at it. I’m not going to lie.”
Norvell said there have been instances where players have not been responsible, perhaps posting something an opponent could use as motivation. Riley said Norvell has told the team to “make sure you are saying the right things and delivering the right message” and to only post items that your grandmother would feel comfortable reading.
“We’ve had our situations with social media, but it’s about learning from it,” Norvell pointed out. “It doesn’t matter if it’s football or if these guys are in business one day. They are all going to be held accountable for the message they present.”
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace and/or Phil Stukenborg are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
Published on Sep 14, 2016
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