The Rise and Fall of Spencer Rattler

 He came out of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, AZ. At the time he was considered the top quarterback nationwide in his signing class. Yes, Spencer Rattler had it all. His passes were as inerrant as cruise missiles and while he didn't have blazing speed, he could run effectively.

He chose to play college football at Oklahoma which was coming off a string of nearly unimaginable talented QBs. The first had been Baker Mayfield. He could scramble  out  of situations so dire it was as if he used the Star Trek transporter machine,  magically vanishing then almost instantly reappearing somewhere else down field.

Next was Kyler Murray who not only had an arm, but was so fast at times he was an absolute blur when he ran.

Both he and Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy. 

The following year, Rattler's true freshman season, 5th year senior transfer from Alabama, Jalen Hurts stepped in. He wasn't either Mayfield, or Murray, but at times dazzling. When he ran it seemed like he was gliding across the grass of Owen Field like a racing yacht does the water. Hurts placed second in the Heisman race.

During that year of our Lord 2019,Spencer Rattler made a few brief appearances of little consequence. The buzz around him, though, was growing. He was the next big thing at Oklahoma. He would  lead the Sooners to The Promised Land.

In 2020 Oklahoma stumbled early against both Kansas State and Iowa State. The masses quickly grew uneasy. During both games OU blew leads and as things were slipping away Spencer Rattler seemed less like the second coming of Johnnie Unitas and more like a jittery freshman who folded under pressure. During the first half against Texas his performance was so inept he was benched in second quarter.

Then, as they say, the worm turned. Coach Lincoln Riley put him back in at the beginning of the second half and Spencer Rattler played brilliantly, leading Oklahoma to a multiple overtime win. 

The local press and national sports media hailed that second half as Rattler's, "coming of age." Here, at last, was the super star everyone had been expecting. And for the remainder of the year he confirmed it time and time again.

During the following off season the breathtaking hype began in earnest. Young Mr. Rattler was proclaimed the prohibitive Heisman favorite. National media, NFL, "experts," told anyone and everyone he was the sure fire first  pick in the 2022 pro draft. Millions of dollars were headed his way. Indeed, songs would be written, women would swoon, children would be named after him.

Well, that's all gone now.

The first inkling of things going south showed up in the OU spring scrimmage. When it was done it had appeared to some the best quarterback on the field that day had been true freshman, Caleb Williams.

Then came the summer. The NCAA, under pressure from the courts and media began to allow college athletes to cash in on their name, image, and likeness. Spencer Rattler, the Heisman favorite immediately signed with NFL agent Chris Cabott. Soon came an endorsement deal with the restaurant chain Raising Cane. Then a weekend in Chicago at a sports memorabilia convention where he did the autograph for pay thing. To get  the future first pro pick's signature you had to fork over $150. For an inscription (You know, "To John, Spencer,) it was an additional $60. To take his photo it was $150 again. 

Later a web site showed up through which you could schedule THE Spencer Rattler for speaking engagements. Just contact his people and they'll let you know the fees involved. 

Presumably while all this was happing the rest of the Oklahoma Sooners, including Caleb Williams, were busting their collective arses  during summer workouts. 

The Sooners came out against a mediocre Tulane team utterly uninspired. Rattler threw two interceptions,--a third was nullified by a questionable pass interference call. 

By the second  quarter against West Virginia boos and chants of, "We want Caleb," were raining down primarily from the student section. The media was aghast, but admitted our man Rattler needed to turn it around in a hurry. 

He seemed to have done so a little bit against Kansas State. Even Williams tried to help. His only snap from center the ball careened off his hip and OU lost eight yards during a goal line situation. 

Then came Texas. It is a game the late Dan Jenkins referred to as, "College football's version of a prison riot." The contest spun out of control quickly. At one point the Longhorns built a 21 point lead. Things were so desperate in the 2nd period Oklahoma put Williams in for a 4th down quarterback sneak in its own territory. He exploded through the line and to the shock of everyone, especially Texas, ran 66 yards for a touchdown. 

The next time the Sooners got the ball Rattler turned it over with a fumble. Riley decided he'd had enough. Enter Caleb Williams, exit Spencer Rattler. .

There would be no second half second half chance for Spencer Rattler this year. It was Caleb Williams' team at that point and they responded with an epic comeback. Down by 18 at half time. Oklahoma won by seven.

Saturday night in Norman when the big screen announced Caleb Williams would be the starting QB the crowd's reaction was deafening. It was Caesar entering Rome after conquering Gaul. One can only imagine what was going through Spencer Rattler's mind, and his  agent's.

In truth we will never know what derailed Spencer Rattler's college football career. It might be he was simply overrated. Or, perhaps his team leadership skills were abysmal--he certainly didn't inspire confidence or, any sort of spark while he was on the field. What we do know is Caleb Williams has energized both the team and fan base as Rattler never did. And, all that Name Image, and Likeness shit, not to mention Chris Cabott, didn't help.

10-18-21