Memphis Tigers fans, you may want to stop reading now.
Phish, the popular jam band, debuted a song on Halloween about Memphis freshman Darius Washington Jr. missing two huge free throws at the end of the Tigers' 2005 Conference USA finals matchup with Louisville. Memphis lost, 75-74, and missed out on a berth in the NCAA tournament.
Here's the moment in all its infamy:
Phish, a band formed in Vermont with no clear connection to Memphis, unveiled "The Line" in Atlantic City. It will likely appear on the band's upcoming EP, "Wingsuit." Here are the lyrics that refer to Washington Jr.
"Dry mouth, push it out, I can hear my heart pound
A hero's what I'm not
Voices scream, flashes flare, frozen as the people stare
My crucifixion shot"
"Friends were electric on the western side while triangles
Were shifting on the floor
Squeezing out the breath that I don't have, they're quiet now
They only want two more"
"And you step to the line
And you step to the line"
"Every shot I've taken has led me to this moment
Since I was 4 feet high
Big D is watching, I remember what he taught me
Don't let 'em see you cry"
[Chorus]
"Try to see your future from the line
You're clinging to the notion you'll be fine
But the circle's getting smaller all the time"
Frontman Trey Anastasio reportedly explained the song's lyrics to the crowd in Atlantic City.
“Dedicated with much love to the incredible Darius Washington, Jr. that song is about his experience when he missed those two free throws at the end of the Final Four Michigan State game. We love him, and we can relate.”
Anastasio is a little off on his details -- the shot came in the C-USA Finals against Louisville -- but we get his point.
(H/T to For The Win)
