Jamal Spencer had a job to do Saturday night. Reporting from Ann Arbor, Spencer provided a first-hand account of the Michigan-Michigan State game for WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids.
The TV station cut to a live shot of Spencer moments after the final play at Michigan Stadium, and he gave his report.
Unfortunately, it was wrong. Way wrong.
With 10 seconds left in the game, Michigan lined up to punt from the Michigan State 48-yard line. The Wolverines were one kick away from sealing the game, and the upset win over its in-state rival.
The odds were stacked against the Spartans, until this happened:
Michigan State had a 0.2% win probability before THIS. https://t.co/DtZZJ6D9Nj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2015
Amazingly, Michigan State won, 27-23.
Outside, Spencer was ready with his 99.8 percent-likely story. He went ahead and reported a Michigan win, noting the maize and blue flooding out of Michigan Stadium. These fans were actually sulking, not celebrating. The Miracle at Michigan struck.
According to Spencer's Twitter, he was born and raised in Detroit and is "Forever a #MSU #Spartan." When the dust cleared, he looked the Internet in the eye and recognized his mistake.
Still shaking my head at that ending. Streets of Ann Arbor are eerily quiet. This game will be remembered forever. MSU 27-UM 23 #13GOGREEN
— Jamal Spencer (@JamalWZZM13) October 18, 2015
Not the first time I've made a mistake in my career and it won't be the last. Gotta take the bad with the good https://t.co/N4vxwJRgyM
— Jamal Spencer (@JamalWZZM13) October 18, 2015
As do I, but that's not the way to get clicks and page views I guess. I'm ok with that. I take responsibility https://t.co/b7bKhCxF9e
— Jamal Spencer (@JamalWZZM13) October 18, 2015
Spencer was back on the grind Sunday, tweeting about the Detroit Lions' overtime win against the Bears. Maybe it wasn't in the way he hoped for, but Jamal Spencer made a name for himself this weekend.
Jalen Watts-Jackson, the Michigan State hero, had surgery on Sunday for a dislocated or fractured hip suffered on the final play/celebration.
Here is an angle from the end zone:
Watts-Jackson is out for the rest of the season.
