Social media reacts to Terry Crews' speech to Purdue, UConn before NCAA Tournament title game
In the anticipation-filled final minutes leading up to the 2024 NCAA Tournament championship game Monday night, players from the two participating teams, Purdue and UConn, were treated to a motivational speech that was broadcast to millions of viewers across the country.
The words of wisdom and inspiration came not from either of the team’s coaches, Matt Painter or Dan Hurley, but actor Terry Crews.
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Standing before players from the Boilermakers and Huskies in a segment likely recorded in the days before the national championship game, Crews held an hourglass and explained its metaphorical meaning, explaining that players have to stay grounded in the present, which, in this case, is the small neck through which sand passes from the top part of the hourglass to the bottom part.
The former NFL player then recounted a story from his high school basketball career, when he missed what would have been a game-winning shot late in a district championship game because he was distracted thinking about the glory that awaited him had the ball gone through the hoop.
“Every successful thing I’ve done since that moment was because I was present,” Crews said. “Your perfect game is here. Right now.”
"Are you ready to make history?" 🔥@terrycrews is joined by @MagicJohnson, @IsiahThomas, @realgranthill33, @Al_Horford and @Candace_Parker to deliver "The Message" to UConn and Purdue ahead of the National Championship 🗣️ #MarchMadness
🎶: @MumfordAndSonspic.twitter.com/z59yWT5ZkH— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 9, 2024
Crews then passed it along to Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill, Candace Parker and Al Horford, all former national champions themselves, who relayed messages to the players while appearing on a videoboard.
While Crews’ speech was meant to get fans, and perhaps even the players, excited for the national championship, viewers seemed more confused than anything, based on the reaction to the segment on social media.
Did they actually make both national championship teams stand and listen to Terry Crews telling a story about his high school missed buzzer-beater or was that video editing
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 9, 2024
Hi, im Terry crews for some reason
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) April 9, 2024
WTF is Terry Crews giving a motivational speech for?!?!? pic.twitter.com/DzyMNRCKHi
— God Jr. (@gabe_himself) April 9, 2024
Imagine being UConn or Purdue, nervous / excited for the days leading up to the biggest day of your life.
And CBS forces you to hear a lecture by Terry Crews— John Conlin (@johnconlin23) April 9, 2024
I mean... I like Terry Crews. But I'm not sure how his missed layup in states in high school is relevant here.
— Steve Czaban (@czabe) April 9, 2024
Dawg, now they got an intro with Terry Crews pulling out an hourglass to troll everyone over how long the wait for the 9:20 Eastern tip has been 😂 https://t.co/RRemm1BSyQpic.twitter.com/40oAYSRVrY
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) April 9, 2024
I woulda tipped by now instead of giving Terry Crews a 20-minute soliloquy, but I’m not a programming director.
— Alex Hickey (@bigahickey) April 9, 2024
They got Terry Crews pep talking these dudes LMAO.
He goin full Al Bundy on em.— Major Madness (@low_madness) April 9, 2024
At least one person enjoyed it, though.
That was a badass pregame with both teams standing there. Had no idea Terry Crews was a baller.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) April 9, 2024
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Social media reacts to Terry Crews speech before Purdue-UConn NCAA title game