Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger may now be in the NFL, but he can't escape the intensity of SEC rivalries — or the fists.
The former LSU signal-caller was sucker-punched by the buddy of an apparent Alabama fan at a bar in Nashville over the weekend, establishment owner Steve Ford told The Tennessean on Monday. Mettenberger reportedly didn't provoke the incident and didn't require medical attention.
"Here's the truth: The guy said something about 'Roll Tide!' to Zach, and Zach turned around and said 'Good luck with that,'" Ford told The Tennessean. "And the guy's buddy then sucker-punched Zach. I promise you that Mettenberger did not throw a punch. He didn't do anything. The guy sucker-punched him in the eye, that's the bottom line.
"It is what it is and it's over, no one is pressing charges. In 15 years being in the bar business, I know that everyone is trying to provoke someone who is a moving billboard. It is a lawsuit jungle out there."
Mettenberger never beat the Crimson Tide as a starter with the Tigers. He's also 6-5, 224 pounds. So why would somebody, even an Alabama fan, feel the need or strike up the nerve to rock the sixth round draft pick in the face?
Great question.