A Houston sportswriter gave new meaning to the phrase "eating your words."
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle made this bold promise in March regarding the Texans' No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft:
I've said on Sports Radio 610 in Houston that I'll eat the front page of the Chron's draft day section if Texans don't pick a QB. Yummy!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 3, 2014
As it became clear that former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney would be the Texans' selection, and even McClain advocated for Houston to take the uber-athletic prospect.
I've been reminded that I said months ago I'd eat the front of the Chron sports page if Texans don't take QB in first round. I guess I will.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) May 8, 2014
On Thursday the Texans made their selection of Clowney official, and the next day McClain stuck to his word and downed some "Chronicle strips," as he called them.
This isn't the first time a columnist has repented for a failed prediction by eating the paper. Former Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Morrissey did the same several years after he wrote that Joakim Noah was a terrible pick for the Bulls.
When Morrissey did it, he had Noah sitting next to him. At least McClain was spared the indignity of eating newspaper while Clowney looked on in enjoyment.
