NEW YORK, 12:15 PM, TUE MAY 13 | 27 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@deadspin.com | SUBMIT A TIP | RSS

Ben Troupe Will Do Anything For His Teammate

bentroupelady.jpgWell, we're two months in, so we suppose CBS Sportsline's rad, dope, duuuude "SPiN" section was due for a worthwhile story. Though it's not the same since they made E-Mack! go back to his Christian name. And this morning, we have to admit, they've got one: All respect.

See that guy in the picture? That's Tennessee Titans backup tight end Ben Troupe, dressed up as Mother Ginger in the Nashville Ballet's version of "The Nutcracker." The fact that he's in a dress there, that's slightly funny. But the real funny part? Troupe never had any desire to play the role (he didn't even known about the ballet), but he had to step in when — and here we go — starting Titans Erron Kinney, who had originally taken the role, went down with an injury against the Colts earlier this season. That's right: Troupe is not a backup, he's an understudy.

We love this idea, in issues both on field and off. Hey, teammates gotta stick together, no matter what, pick each other up. Can't dress up like a woman in the ballet? Yo, teammate got your back. Groin injury? Hey, teammate will fill in with the wife. He's not a backup on the field; he's a backup in life.

That guy nodding along with us here? Nick Van Exel, the Spurs point guard who backs up Eva Longoria paramour Tony Parker.

Holiday Thespian [CBS Sportsline]
Yo, CBS Sportsline Is Rad, Dude [Deadspin]

9:30 AM on Tue Dec 20 2005
By Leitch
194 views
4 comments

Comments

  • Jim Sorgi better pray Payton Manning doesn't pull a groin backstage at a Kenny Chesney concert.

  • Bryant McKinnie's backup is probably hoping that his teammate doesn't go down (on the field) any time soon.

  • Bryant McKinnie's insurance provider hopes he doesn't go down (on a hooker) any time soon.

  • I'm not saying this should be expected, but they did both go to Florida. Nice to see the Gators have that sort of bond in the NFL. Maybe I can get Rex Grossman to do my laundry next time I sprain an ankle or something.

Comment on this post

Reply by Email

Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.