Reporter or Rapper? Taylor Davis Wows Fans at College Football Game

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The biggest highlight from Southern Miss’ matchup with Mississippi State had nothing to do with football. It was all about ESPN’s Taylor Davis turning the sideline into her own stage.

During Saturday’s game at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, the reporter was caught on camera rapping along to Drake’s verse in Travis Scott’s hit “Sicko Mode.” Mic in hand, she started a rap, and fans online couldn’t get enough of it. Within a few hours, the clip of Taylor Davis was everywhere.

Southern Miss’ DJ, Kujho Carr, even joined in the fun. He shared another video in which Davis was enjoying the music of Nicki Minaj. She joked in the comments, “Couldn’t help myself.” This made the moment even more relatable.

Davis later talked about her viral moment on the “SEC State of Mind” podcast with Jason Campbell. “People are always surprised, but I only listen to rap and hip-hop,” she said. “I’m from a small town in Alabama, went to Auburn, now live in Nashville, and no country music for me. My memory’s good, so I just know the lyrics. That’s how I get in the zone before games.”

Davis said that she got a bit embarrassed when her video blew up. She called it “a little cringe,” but fans didn’t see it that way at all. Her Instagram was flooded with love. There were a huge number of comments like “You rapping was straight fire!!” and “Girl you crushed it, keep it coming!”

Taylor Davis has been with ESPN since 2014. She has covered both football and gymnastics. However, after this weekend, her fans might start seeing her as more than just a sideline reporter, maybe even as the reporter who can also drop the mic.