Spears wants to have a conversation with whomever is willing to listen, a tone hes worked on developing since his first day at ESPN. In his 2004 senior season, Spears earned first-team All American honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, and AP. Why is Marcus Spears called the Big Swagu? We speak with broken English, sometimes we curse, we get loud, we get passionate and that's real life, you know, that's what people do, Spears says. Editors note: This is the eighth in a series of excerpts from The Advocates upcoming book, LSU BY THE NUMBERS, celebrating the best player, We realized that all of these guys who were winning national championships were from the state of Florida and going to Florida schools, Spears said. The popular player spent his early life in Louisiana, where he went to Southern University Laboratory School. Marcus Spears has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. He missed one game with a knee injury. "Marcus is invaluable to our football coverage for a myriad of reasons, most especially because of his knowledge of the game and his connection to our audience," McCollum said. In 2003, during LSU's national championship season, Spears contributed 49 tackles, 23 quarterback pressures, 13 tackles for losses, six sacks and six passes defensed to earn First-team All-SEC honors. So I think that's what me and Perk are trying to do. In the season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Spears had two tackles and a tackle for loss. The duo will take fans inside the latest news across the NFL, NBA and beyond with their own unique, personal insight and expert, in-depth analysis with new episodes every Tuesday morning. 1-rated tight end prospect. And, of course, its his nickname. "text": "After various injuries, Marcus decided to end his nine seasons long career in 2014 without a super bowl ring." Marcus "Swagu" Spears from NFL to Analyst Talks Cowboys, Celtics & Growth as a Man. Later in 2015, Spears began hosting a TV show called DFW Outdoorsman. Somebody showing up expecting strawberry or vanilla might not like what the two are offering. 36 episodes. Marcus "Swagu" Spears from NFL to Analyst Talks Cowboys, Celtics Become the Ultimate Fan Sign up for news and offers . Although stardom was familiar to Marcus, transitioning from college to first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys was challenging on many levels. The event raised enough money to provide 330,000 meals to North Texans in need. How many games did Marcus Spears play? New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan selected Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher as the starters at defensive end, relegating Spears into a reserve role for the first time in his career. "@type": "Question", Marcus Spears played 124 games over his career. The Sooners had the ball on second-and-13 at their 17-yard line after Spears sacked Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jason White for a 3-yard loss. Swagu & Perk Show - PodCenter - ESPN Radio Ends 1/15/2023 11:59 PM ET. Marcus and Marc J. are cousins. In the week three victory over the Chicago Bears, Spears recorded two tackles (one solo). Marcus Spears Wiki, Married, Wife, Girlfriend, Contract - wikinetworth During his sophomore year he became a full-time defensive player, and his contributions to the team helped lead the Tigers to two SEC Championships titles (2001, 2003) and a win in the 2004 BCS National Championship. Marcus is a Christian who attends TD Jakes church in Texas. [11], In August 2014, Spears became a co-host of SEC Nation, the SEC/ESPN Network's flagship show. He officially moved into the starting lineup full-time against the Arizona Cardinals and led all linemen with four tackles. The weekly podcast will be led by its namesake hosts, former NFL veteran and analyst Marcus Spears (Swagu) and NBA champion and analyst Kendrick Perkins. [citation needed], Beginning with the 2017 college football season, Spears began hosting Thinking Out Loud on the SEC Network with former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. Q&A: ESPN's Marcus Spears on Texans' tumble, Watson and Houston food rant Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears a.k.a "Swagu" joins The Pivot Podcast for a candid conversation covering his faith in God to pressures experienced while playing for the Cowboys to the expectations faced by sports analysts and the challenges men encounter through temptation. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears aka "Swagu" and NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins are longtime friends from South Texas and they're ready to let loose. Editors note: This is the third in a series of excerpts from The Advocates upcoming book, LSU BY THE NUMBERS, celebrating the best player . A year later, Spears embarked on his new career as an analyst with the SEC Network and ESPN. The couple has three children. Signature NFL & NBA Analyst Duo Will Bring Fans Inside Trending Stories with Unique Insight, Expert Analysis & Cant-Miss Conversation, Episode One Available Oct. 25 | Series Trailer Available Now. He started the season as a backup in the team's 4-3 defense but moved into a right defensive end starting role midway through the season, to earn All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly. The former NFL defensive end initially joined ESPN as a college football analyst for the SEC Network in April 2014. Our lines of scrimmage have not been good enough to sustain four-quarter games.. Theyd talk about all sorts of things, good and bad, about the people at church and in the community. 1 LSU baseball hosts Alabama for weekend series at The Box, LSU gymnastics announces return of 4 seniors in 2024, LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese reacts to addition of Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith, LSU rolled out the red carpet for big-time transfer addition Hailey Van Lith, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Min. You may also recognize him for his hilarious Twitter presence and nickname The Big Swagu compounded from the words swag and ragu.. The following week Spears recorded a season-high six tackles against the Saints in a home loss. Although he has retired from sports, he is still working in the field to improve football in the future. Are Marcus Spears and Marc J. Spears related? So that's why they call Marcus Spears 'Swagu' | First Take Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Spears began appearing on NFL Live in 2019, which led to him assuming a pro football-centric analyst role in June 2020. Cant wait to have listeners hear us break down whats happening in the world and most importantly laugh with us. The 2002 season marked his first as a full-time defensive player, in which he recorded 46 tackles, 16 quarterback pressures, 3.5 tackles for losses and three sacks. The Crimson Tide already have one loss on the year, falling to Tennessee earlier in the season. Spears told The Big Lead that when he was growing up hed listen to his grandmother talk on the phone with her friends. Molly Qerim loses control of First Take as Stephen A Smith begged to Marcus Spears At An Event (Source: Instagram). There was a problem saving your notification. Come be a fly on the wall and listen to us talk. We realized with the players we had in Louisiana starting that year, we could probably be pretty good.. Shop the Marcus Spears Official Store As he will be the official stylist of Spears, they focus on creating unique custom-made clothes to boost their clients confidence. From the custom fitting with the stylists to wearing the pieces on ESPN J Hilburn understands my size needs, and I feel great in their collection! He immediately fit in really well with the team, and were excited to kick off our work together.. Spears was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys and later went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Pressure from Marcus Spears (84) wrapping up Georgia quarterback David Greene (14) caused a fumble, recovered by LSU's Marquise Hill to thwart a Bulldog scoring opportunity deep in LSU territory with 3:11 in the third quarter in LSU's 17-10 win in Tiger Stadium, Sept. 20, 2003. Also, he is a proud dad and lives with his family in Southlake, Texas. Although he showed some signs of a return in 2012, he was again injured. The men dive into a deep conversation of infidelity and Marcus opens up about how he is now in a place that he would never go down that road again. Kendrick Perkins, Marcus Spears debut ESPN podcast - USA Today Channing, Ryan and Fred all agree but also arent naive to the actions that led to Udokas suspension and the effect it has on the black community, especially females who looked to his partner Nia Long as a queen in their world. He was part of a now-legendary recruiting class that also included West Monroe offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, De La Salle defensive end Marquise Hill from New Orleans and Christian Life Academy wide receiver Michael Clayton, who with Spears were lauded as the best Baton Rouge duo to sign with LSU since Billy Cannon and Johnny Robinson in 1956. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Swagu & Perk on Apple Podcasts On the high school football field, he was rated as the No. From there, listeners get to enjoy the full experience of Marcus Spears and Kendrick Perkins. Shop online for Marcus Spears merchandise, t-shirts, clothing, apparel, posters and accessories. I think that's what's gonna keep us going, to be honest with you. The defensive end earned first-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, and AP, and second-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated. The wife of a former NFL player played basketball at LSU and was honored with the All-Sec First Team in 2002. He and Perkins are a different flavor of ice cream, Spears explains. After the championship confetti was swept away, Spears flirted with turning pro but decided to return to LSU for his senior year. Follow all your favorite Louisiana teams at LSU Tigers Wire and Saints Wire! } Swagu or Swag-Ew? Playing mostly in running downs, he registered 24 tackles (1 for loss) and 3 quarterback pressures. The Big part is pretty self-explanatory given Spears burly dimensions and larger-than-life personality. In Week two's Sunday night game against the Redskins, Spears recorded his only sack of the season, sacking quarterback Mark Brunell in the first quarter, he also recorded two tackles. Against the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, Spears had three tackles and one for loss, limiting the Colts to a season-low 14 points. ESPN signs Laura Rutledge, Marcus Spears to multiyear contract extensions This week: No. It was the first possession of the third quarter, with LSU leading Oklahoma 14-7 in the 2004 BCS National Championship Game in the Sugar Bowl. In our mind, life is always evolving, Sports has always evolved in sports is the sport's going to give you a lot, but we also focus a lot on who we are, the experiences we have and family and I think the thing for us man, we're just not scared to talk about our flaws and the things that we get wrong and some family stuff, family chaos. That was the Tigers' only win over Alabama since 2011. Ive lived all over the U.S. in my career, and cooking with Louisiana Fish Fry Products always reminds me of home, Spears said in a press release. Both are working with sports media. And the youngest daughter Miko Reign Spears, was born on January 3, 2013, and is 10. Marcus was born under the sun sign of Pisces. "text": "Marcus played college football for Louisiana State University and professional football for Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens." He is a tall and looks very athletic. Im excited to co-host Swagu & Perk with Kendrick, said Spears. In the annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had three tackles. Ultimately, if you listen in on Swagu and Perk, you should feel like you're part of it, says Spears. Email Scott Rabalais at srabalais@theadvocate.com, New Years Day, 1966. Marcus Spears Stats, News and Video - DE | NFL.com A leading supplier of Louisiana-inspired batters, boil seasonings and more has named Baton Rouge native Marcus Spears, affectionately known as "The Big Swagu," as CFO that's chief fry officer