Jim Everett is most remembered for being the Rams’ all-time leader in passing yards. But one of the iconic moments from his career off the field came on April 6, 1994, when he went after Jim Rome on live television, knocking him out of his chair and tackling the host to the ground.
It all stemmed from a feud between Everett and Rome, after Rome refused to stop calling Everett “Chris.” Rome criticized Everett for avoiding hits on the field, thus calling him “Chris,” in reference to women’s tennis player Chris Evert. Everett understandably took exception to Rome’s badgering and put an end to it.
The video popped up on Twitter Monday and was retweeted more than 3,000 times, reminding everyone what a crazy interview that was on this date 26 years ago.
Everett even chimed in and tweeted, “Seems like yesterday” with a winking emoji.
Seems like yesterday. 😉 https://t.co/23yHexLeIA
— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) April 6, 2020
Everett replied to a bunch of fans on Twitter who asked him questions about this clip, and for everyone who asked whether this was staged, Everett’s response was clear: it was not.
Definitely not planned or scripted.
— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) April 6, 2020
Everett also said he and Rome haven’t spoken since this incident, nor have they even run into each other at any point.
Nope
— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) April 6, 2020
On the bright side, Everett and Evert have connected since the fight with Rome, and he feels bad about her being dragged into it.
We’ve connected. Really feel for her being such a wonderful person and gracious champion, that she was even brought into this mess.
— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) April 6, 2020
Everett doesn’t seem to have any regret over going after Rome, not that he should. He was even surprised the host took it that far, egging the former Rams quarterback on to no end.
No matter how heated today’s “debate” shows get, they’ll never reach the level that Everett and Rome did on this date in 1994.