🏹 September 26th 2023 - The Chief Brief 🏹

Hello, Seminole faithful! 🍢 Welcome to this edition of the 'The Chief Brief' - where the news is as fresh as a cold brew from our sponsor, The Gnarly Barley. From craft beers to mouthwatering sandwiches, they've got the flavor, and we've got the latest FSU scoops. Dive in as we tackle everything from Joe Exotic's unexpected cameo in FSU merch drama to our football team's meteoric rise in the rankings. Cheers to a newsletter as refreshing as a pint on a hot day!

Joe Exotic Expresses Discontent Over Jordan Travis' "Tiger King" Merchandise

Joe Exotic, the infamous figure from Netflix's "Tiger King," is not pleased with Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis. The reason? Travis has been capitalizing on "Tiger King" inspired merchandise, particularly a shirt labeled "College King 2.0" which is available for purchase on his website. The price of the shirt, $31.24, appears to be a reference to the final score of FSU's victory over Clemson.

Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado, voiced his displeasure on social media. He expressed frustration over others profiting from what he considers his trademark and intellectual property. In his post, he mentioned that he's been known as "The Tiger King" since Travis was just six years old. Exotic's frustration isn't just directed at Travis; he also mentioned his grievances with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. He even went as far as to offer an attorney up to 80% of a potential settlement if they were to sue Travis and other companies producing merchandise based on his "Tiger King" nickname.

However, according to Darren Heitner, an attorney with expertise in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) field, Travis probably doesn't have much to be concerned about legally. Heitner stated, “I don’t see how any reasonable consumer would be confused as to the source of the item nor whether there is an affiliation or association with Joe Exotic.”

As for football, Travis and the Florida State Seminoles are taking a break in Week 5 and will be hosting Virginia Tech in Week 6.

Read more here and buy the shirt here

Florida State's Resurgence: From the Depths to National Contenders

Florida State's football program has made a remarkable turnaround, and their recent performance has solidified their position as one of the top teams in the nation. Here's a breakdown of the latest developments:

• Florida State's Rise: The Seminoles have proven their mettle with an impressive overtime win against Clemson, propelling them to the No. 2 spot in The Athletic 133 rankings. This victory is particularly sweet for FSU, as it ends a seven-game losing streak against their rivals.

• A Look Back: Just two years ago, Florida State was in a dire situation, with a record of 0-4, including a loss to FCS Jacksonville State. Fast forward to today, and they stand undefeated at 4-0, with significant wins against teams like LSU and Clemson. Their transformation is a testament to patience, roster building, and the leadership of Coach Mike Norvell.

• The Athletic 133 Rankings:

  • Top 10:

    1. Georgia (4-0)

    2. Florida State (4-0)

    3. Texas (4-0)

    4. Ohio State (4-0)

    5. Washington (4-0)

    6. Utah (4-0)

    7. Penn State (4-0)

    8. Michigan (4-0)

    9. USC (4-0)

    10. Oregon (4-0)

  • Notable Movements: FSU's leap over Texas is attributed to their two top-tier wins. Ohio State's last-second victory over Notre Dame pushed them up to the 4th spot. Washington, despite their dominant performances, awaits a significant challenge against Oregon on Oct. 14.

• From the Depths: Two years back, FSU was grappling with a series of losses. Today, they're being viewed as national championship contenders. Their journey is a lesson in resilience, belief, and the importance of having the right people in place.

• Other Notable Rankings:

  • Notre Dame, despite a close game against Ohio State, is at No. 11.

  • Alabama, after a challenging game against Ole Miss, has moved up to No. 15.

  • Kansas, for the second consecutive year, is 4-0 and has entered the top 25 after defeating BYU.

The college football landscape is ever-evolving, and as teams rise and fall, the excitement and unpredictability of the game remain constant. Florida State's resurgence is a testament to the fact that with the right leadership, determination, and belief, any team can turn their fortunes around.

Read more here

Derrion Reid Narrows Choices to Three Elite Programs

Derrion Reid, a top-tier talent from the class of 2024, has trimmed his list of potential college destinations to just three: Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 200 pounds, this small forward from Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep is not just a physical presence on the court but also a highly sought-after recruit. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Reid is a five-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 14 overall player in the country.

Reid's recent activities have kept the recruiting world buzzing. He just wrapped up an official visit to Florida State. Earlier in the summer, he had an official visit to Georgia, and he's slated to return there on October 6th. Alabama fans will be eagerly awaiting his official visit to their campus on October 20th. As for when he'll make his final decision? Reid has stated that he hasn't set a commitment timeframe yet.

Before narrowing down to these three schools, Reid had a plethora of offers from other notable programs, including Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Kansas State, South Carolina, LSU, Georgia Tech, and more.

When discussing his top three choices, Reid provided some insights:

• Alabama: "They've been with me since the beginning. I'm a fan of their playing style and how they've developed their players."

• Georgia: "They've also been there from the start. I've forged a strong bond with their coaching staff, especially the head coach. I appreciate his coaching style."

• Florida State: "I have a solid connection with the entire coaching staff. Their playing style resonates with me."

For those unfamiliar with Reid's prowess on the court, On3's Jamie Shaw offers a detailed scouting report. Reid boasts a robust frame complemented by good length. His athleticism shines, especially when he's sprinting down the court. Defensively, he's a force to be reckoned with, thanks to his ability to defend on-ball and anticipate passes. In the half-court, he's demonstrated impressive court vision. Reid's jump shot has seen significant improvement, with a 37.8% success rate from the three-point line during the EYBL Circuit. He's also a competent rebounder with a knack for mid-range pull-ups. In transition, Reid is aggressive, often culminating his runs with explosive finishes at the rim. On the defensive end, his timing is impeccable, whether he's intercepting passes or blocking shots as a help-side defender. All in all, Reid is packed with natural talent, making him a hot commodity in the recruiting world.

Read more here

DeLoach and Green Clinch ACC Player of the Week Honors After Stellar Performance Against Clemson

Florida State's seasoned linebacker, Kalen DeLoach, and defensive back, Renardo Green, have been recognized with ACC Player of the Week honors. Their commendable performances played a pivotal role in FSU's thrilling 31-24 overtime triumph over Clemson this past Saturday. The accolades are awarded based on the votes of a select media panel.

Kalen DeLoach showcased his defensive prowess with a remarkable play against Clemson's QB, Cade Klubnik. DeLoach executed a 15-yard sack, causing Klubnik to fumble. Seizing the opportunity, DeLoach recovered the fumble and sprinted 56 yards to score a touchdown, leveling the game in the third quarter. This marked DeLoach's debut touchdown. It was also FSU's second defensive touchdown of the season, following Jarrian Jones' pick-6 against Southern Miss. Furthermore, it was the first scoop-and-score for FSU since Jermaine Johnson II's feat against Clemson in 2021. DeLoach's overall performance was impressive, recording seven tackles (five of which were solo), a pass breakup, a sack, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and the fumble recovery that led to his touchdown.

Renardo Green, on the other hand, shared the co-defensive back honors with Jaylon King from Georgia Tech. Green's contribution to the Seminoles' victory was evident in his seven tackles, a tackle-for-loss, and a pass breakup. His tackle-for-loss was particularly crucial, occurring on a third-and-1 in overtime as Clemson aimed to level the scores. Florida State's defense held firm, forcing an incompletion on the subsequent fourth down. This defensive stand ensured FSU's first victory over Clemson since 2014.

This season, other Seminoles who have been honored with the ACC Player of the Week titles include quarterback Jordan Travis, wide receiver Keon Coleman, and offensive linemen Bless Harris and D'Mitri Emmanuel, all for their performances in games against LSU and Southern Miss.

Read more here

My favorite tweet from after the game:

And just like that, another edition of The Chief Brief comes to a close! Remember, just like The Gnarly Barley's iconic brews, we aim to serve you the freshest FSU tales. Until next time, keep those spears high and your beers cold. Cheers to more victories, on the field and in life. Catch you in the next pour... I mean, edition!