Taylor Davis turned heads in Week 1 of the college football season, and it had nothing to do with a sideline report.
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The ESPN reporter went viral during Southern Miss' 34-17 loss to Mississippi State after cameras caught her rapping along to Drake's verse in Travis Scott's 2018 hit "Sicko Mode" as music blared through M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg.
In another clip posted by Southern Miss DJ Kujho Carr, Davis could be seen vibing to Nicki Minaj. She laughed off the moment in the comments: "Couldn't help myself!"
Davis addressed the attention this week on the SEC State of Mind podcast with former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell.
@djkujho @ESPN’s Sideline Reporter @Taylor Davis was vibing with me all game thank for coming to Hattiesburg 🦅 #SMTTT ⚫️🟡 Thank you to everyone that came and partied with me! See you next Saturday!
"You know what, it's something that really surprises people about me that all I listen to is rap," Davis said. "I'm originally from a small town in Alabama, I went to Auburn, I live in Nashville, and I don't listen to country music. I listen to rap and hip hop, and my memory is pretty good so my lyrical prowess just comes out every now and then. Especially pregame when I'm getting in the zone."
Davis admitted she was "a little embarrassed" once she realized she was being recorded. "I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, you think this is cool, you like this song?' Yeah, it's gone viral, I'm a little embarrassed, I'm not gonna lie, because that is a little cringe, but I am who I am and you gotta do what keeps you loose before a game."
Fans didn't mind. Her Instagram quickly filled with support. "You rapping was straight fire!!" one wrote. Another added, "Girl you crushed it and keep it coming now!!"
Davis has been with ESPN since 2014, covering college football and gymnastics. And after this weekend, she might have added "sideline DJ" to her résumé as well.
