Did UM's Malachi Toney Catch an Attitude From Sideline Reporter?

MIAMI, Fla. – After leaving Death Valley (Memorial Stadium) with a 41-13 win over Clemson last Saturday night, Miami Hurricanes star wide receiver Malachi Toney was part of a postgame interview that’s gone viral, but not for the right reason.

While speaking to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe, she made a comment that didn’t sit right with fans and viewers.

“Malachi, oh, he’s hugging [Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney] mid-interview,” the 60-year-old said.

As the clip goes viral across social media, many have deemed that last part unnecessary. Swinney approached Toney to show sportsmanship, despite suffering his second-worst home loss as Clemson’s head coach. There’s no guarantee they would see each other outside of the field, especially with the Hurricanes’ travel schedule to return to South Florida from South Carolina.

However, this isn’t the first time this season Rowe has been a part of a college football controversy. After Texas’ 24-23 win over Ohio State, coming back from a 20-point deficit, she was preparing to interview Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. However, it was cut short, as all he did was give a shouted remark to the camera.

“That’s called Texas fight, ‘hook em,’” Sarkisian said.

Rowe was visibly frustrated with the interview as she couldn’t get her first question out. Regardless of the situation, Sarkisian didn’t violate any rules by cutting the interview short. He spoke to Rowe, but it just didn’t happen in the usual fashion it’s done.

For any sports journalist, whether coming up or established, it’s important to remember that you are not above the player. Regardless of job title and affiliation, the athlete will always be more important. Sports journalists benefit when a team or league is doing exceptionally well. When viewership is up, they are seen more on camera as an overwhelming number of fans tune in.

Toney is one of the biggest rising stars in college football and the Liberty City (Fla.) native has generated a ton of excitement. Last season, as a freshman, he led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 109 catches for 1,211 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns – receiving (10), rushing (one), passing (two). The 19-year-old is a versatile playmaker who keeps the Hurricanes relevant.

However, one of Toney’s biggest traits is shown more off the field than on it. He is humble and doesn’t let all the fame cloud him. As someone who is media-credentialed across Hurricanes sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball, Toney isn’t someone looking to showboat, but rather to play the game he grew up loving.

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