Spencer Rattler defended by former teammate after 2024 NFL draft slide reality show report
A high school teammate of Spencer Rattler recently came to the New Orleans Saints rookie QB's defense in light of comments made about the quarterback during the 2024 NFL Draft about a reality show the QB did in high school.
J.D. Johnson, also a quarterback at Phoenix Pinnacle High with Rattler, slammed how the QB1: Beyond the Lights show portrayed Rattler, and the report that it impacted the former South Carolina QB's draft standing, in a recent interview with USA TODAY Sports.
"I think that’s pretty (expletive) to do to a kid in high school and ultimately have a long-time effect on what people think of him," Johnson told USA TODAY Sports.
More: Spencer Rattler's high school coach critiques Netflix's 'QB1: Beyond the Lights'
What was said about Spencer Rattler during NFL Draft
Rattler was not drafted until No. 150 overall by the New Orleans Saints, despite reports that he could go much earlier.
Amid the slide, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Rattler could be falling because of the reality show he did while attending Pinnacle High.
"This is kind of weird to say, honestly. Spencer Rattler did a reality show in high school. It's called, 'QB1: Beyond the Lights,'" Rapoport said on the NFL Network draft broadcast. "It did not make him look great, and it is unbelievable how many different teams mentioned to me the image of him in that show, and how they can't get it out of their heads. Which I think would be a public service announcement to all 17-year-olds, but it is fascinating as teams weigh whether or not to draft him."
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"It did not make him look great. And it is unbelievable how many different teams mentioned to me the image of him in that show and how they can't get it out of their heads."
Ian Rapoport on how a reality show filmed in high school is hurting Spencer Rattler now. pic.twitter.com/51n8nZA070— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 27, 2024
Spencer Rattler's viral 'QB1' clip: 'Bad teammate'
The reality show followed Rattler during his senior season at the Phoenix high school, and amassed a following on Netflix, as well as on YouTube.
One video shows Rattler getting into an argument with Johnson.
"What did you do in one-on-ones?" Johnson asked Rattler.
"I blamed it on you," Rattler replied. "Because you sucked."
Although Rattler told Johnson later in the clip that he "made him better," he also called Johnson "soft" and "a girl."
"You never lift me up," Johnson said at one point in the nearly two-minute video.
The video on YouTube was titled: "Spencer Rattler in High School Being a Bad Teammate".
More: NFL draft: QB Spencer Rattler among 8 former Arizona HS football players taken over 3 days
Here’s a clip of @Netflix “QB1” on which former Phoenix Pinnacle QBs Spencer Rattler and JD Johnson competing together against the team defense and pushing each other as leaders of the team during and after the contest in practice in 2018. pic.twitter.com/YfZSOfiVdN
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) August 17, 2019
Spencer Rattler's teammate responds to viral 'QB1' clip
Johnson told USA TODAY Sports that the video lacked context.
"It does make him look pretty bad, but in the same breath, there’s not a lot of context to it," Johnson told USA TODAY Sports. "The reason why they put that clip together the way they did was to make him look bad and to create exactly what they created."
He added: "The clip didn’t show me giving anything back to him, but there was days I was ... screaming at him, ‘You suck, Spencer!’ That’s what we did. Honestly, that’s what made both of us so good, in my opinion."
Johnson also said: "He was one of my good friends and I can confidently say he’s one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever met."
More: What people are saying about former Pinnacle star, South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler
Social media slammed the report that NFL teams held the reality show against Spencer Rattler:
I can't believe this. This sounds a lot like cancel culture. You're canceling someone who made mistakes during the ages where you're supposed to make mistakes. I really hope that he gets to prove a lot of people wrong.
— quis2cool😎 (@Quis_stay_fresh) April 27, 2024
High school 😂🤪…did you not watch a @GamecockFB game last year? Just another talking head… pic.twitter.com/wjX3nSSfdZ
— David Revelle (@drev8079) April 27, 2024
A reality TV show from when he was 16-18 and is 23 now??? Would love to see those scouts evaluate themselves as people in HS versus out of college
— Jake Anderson (@JakeAnderson82) April 27, 2024
Had the one of the worst o lines in college last season, didnt complain and was a leader, but yeah lets look at him when he was 16, people apparently cant change in a multi year span, horrendous take.
— Shane Meisten (@SMeisten) April 27, 2024
So what you’re saying is you can’t mature from 17 to 22?
— Phil so Good (@phillipthejr) April 27, 2024
His line was decimated by injury and he spent most of last season running for his life, and he never threw them under the bus. He has matured since he was a teenager. Imagine that.
— Stephanie Harter (@seharter) April 27, 2024
I am awfully glad I am not judged on things I did and said at the age he was in that show. The kids deserves a chance.
— Washington Commanders UK fan (@WashingtonComs) April 27, 2024
So he was in high school, has played college football since then, and they can't focus on who he is now? Maybe they shouldn't be in the draft room if they can't adjust from 4 years,or more, ago.
— Mike (@WUPanthers4) April 27, 2024
He was a kid with a camera crew in his face. We would all cringe looking back at ourselves.
— Jake Durant (@durant_jd) April 27, 2024
USA TODAY Sports' Chris Bumbaca contributed to this story.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Spencer Rattler 2024 NFL Draft reality show slide report slammed