Second thoughts

Even if it gets hairy, lineman still rocks style

Missouri offensive guard Max Copeland, a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the nation’s most outstanding player who began his college career as a walk-on, hasn’t cut his hair since joining the Tigers as a freshman.

He now sports a long red mane to go with a bushy beard, creating a look that has earned him the nicknames “Mad Max” and “Missouri’s Montana Mountain Man.”

“I think it’s the consequence of listening to too much heavy metal, man,” Copeland, a native of Billings, Mont., said with a laugh Monday while taking part in the Burlsworth Award ceremony in Springdale. “I consider it a bit of a symbol now.”

Copeland also was sporting a gash above his nose that he sustained during fall camp.

It hasn’t had a chance to heal because of how much he wears a helmet.

“There’s a big ol’ chunk of skin out of there,” Copeland said. “It doesn’t get me a lot of dates, but that’s football.”

Copeland was honored at the luncheon two days after playing in the SEC Championship Game, where Missouri lost to Auburn in Atlanta. He didn’t win the Burlsworth Trophy - that went Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis - but Copeland has managed to enjoy the experience and the new found fame he has achieved thanks to Missouri’s run to the SEC title game.

“I guess it’s the rock and roll lifestyle at its finest,” he said. “I’m experiencing a lot of cool stuff.”

Easy come, easy go

The loss to Michigan State on Saturday and getting bumped from the national championship game will cost Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer $350,000 in bonus payments, according to his contract.

Meyer’s six-year contract calls for a $250,000 payment if his team makes it to a national championship game and $100,000 bonus if the Buckeyes win the Big Ten Championship Game. Both of those options came to a halt for this season when the Spartans beat the Buckeyes 34-24 Saturday in Indianapolis, snapping Ohio State’s 24-game winning streak.

Don’t worry, though. The Meyer family will still be OK.

Meyer is due $650,000 in bonus payments in coming months: a $450,000 retention payment, $50,000 for winning the Big Ten Leaders Division title and a $150,000 check for a Bowl Championship Series game appearance. That’s all on top of his $4 million-a-year compensation package and additional perks.

Just be yourself

Maya Moore has been preparing for the role of Betty Lou her entire life.

The WNBA Finals MVP and two-time champion for the Minnesota Lynx, who starred at the University of Connecticut, has branched out into acting in Pepsi’s Uncle Drew ad campaign that features Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving.

The spots debuted at the start of the NBA season. Moore, 24, plays an older woman who is the sister of Nate Robinson’s character, and she appears to be a natural for the role.

“I’ve always done a really good old lady for some reason,” Moore told The Associated Press.

“I’m a little actress at heart. I love to perform and make people laugh and definitely have been practicing that old lady persona for a while. I have an old soul in many ways.”

Moore joked that her teammates in college and the pros have called her a bag lady, so playing Betty Lou came easily.

“I’m pretty slow off the court, and I take my time and generally have a lot of bags,” she said laughing. “It was a full circle moment.”

Of course, she does have some concerns.

“I hope Betty Lou doesn’t get more popular than me,” Moore said. “People might demand more Betty Lou than me. Some fat pads and gray wigs, they might not let me be me.”

Quote of the day

“He’s one of the best players in college football. There’s no doubt.” Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn on running back Tre Mason, a Heisman Trophy finalist

Sports, Pages 20 on 12/11/2013

Upcoming Events