Jesse Palmer brings his expertise in analyzing love lives to the football field.
When the Florida Gators took on Texas A&M on Saturday, September 14, the ESPN commentator, 45, took note of one fan in attendance.
“He’s got a mustache, you can’t see it now, but he’s ripping his arm through his shirt,” Palmer said during the broadcast. “I’m going to make a bold prediction. I’m going to say that person is in the friend zone.
As Palmer guessed, the camera zoomed in on the Gators crowd wearing blue and orange striped overalls. The fan was pacing back and forth as he stood up from his seat and turned to face the group of girls behind him.
“Years of relationships and dating … I’ve seen it up close and personal in other jobs,” Palmer continued, referring to another show he’s known for hosting Scholar franchise. “I would say he’s a good listener.”
The camera pans back to the game before finding the fan again, who appears to be facing the girls again. Palmer clarified that he considered the fan a “good person,” stating that he was “not saying he was a bad person.”
Jesse Palmer doesn’t need to eliminate this guy on live TV
pic.twitter.com/5bUhHpKXua– Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 15, 2024
“I’m just saying, I don’t think she’s dating anybody that’s shot right now,” Palmer said.
Palmer’s colorful comments quickly spread across the internet with users weighing in on the assessment of the interaction.
“Scorched by friend zone comments,” one user wrote, while another added, “Cameraman needs an award.” ABC executive Robert Mills repost the clip on X.
Palmer previously played for the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers in the early 2000s before becoming the head coach for 5 seasons Scholar in 2004. He ended up showing that he didn’t propose to Jessica Bowlingand the couple dated for a few months before splitting.
Palmer returned to the franchise a year later when he was announced as the host of Clayton Echardseason 26 Scholar after ABC cut ties with Chris Harrison. Palmer has since helmed additional seasons of the franchise – including Jen Transeason 21 of The Bachelorettewhich ended earlier this month.
After Jenn, 26, announced his life After the Final Rose that episode Devin Strader calling off their engagement months after filming the show, Palmer reflected on the split.
“When I found out, I felt a lot of emotion. I was sad. I was heartbroken for Jenn,” Palmer said. Entertainment Weekly earlier this month. “I’m confused. I never expected this to happen because everything I saw happened between the two of them in Hawaii.
Palmer gushed that Jenn showed “incredible strength and courage” during her live confrontation with Devin, where she rewatched the proposal sitting next to her ex-fiancé.
“I also see women with power, doing things on terms,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited about what Jenn is going to do, and I know she’s going to be great. Dancing with the Stars!”
Jenn was announced as a cast member in the DWTS season 33 after the conclusion of her season. DWTS premieres on ABC Tuesday, September 17, at 8 pm ET and will be simulcast on Disney +.