Booger McFarland had a favorite memory from his bowl game playing days, and it involved spending his entire per diem check at a \u201cnice establishment\u201d in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
During halftime of Saturday\u2019s Pop-Tarts Bowl<\/a>, ESPN studio host Kevin Negandhi<\/a> asked McFarland about his best bowl game experience as a player. The former LSU defensive tackle delivered an answer that probably wasn\u2019t what ESPN had in mind.<\/p>\n ESPN commentator was just asked for his favorite bowl memory as a player and it was blowing his $987 per diem at the Peach Bowl at a strip club.<\/p>\n \u2014 mpete91 (@mpete91) December 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMy first experience playing in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. It was my first time getting a per diem \u2014 $987,\u201d McFarland said. \u201cI went to one nice establishment, and I gave it all away. They have some good wings, though. Lemon pepper wings. Lou Williams and I have something in common.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLou is a big fan of lemon pepper wings, we know that,\u201d Negandhi quipped.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/w2Q6u3FRTh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) December 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The \u201cnice establishment\u201d McFarland referenced was almost certainly Magic City, the legendary Atlanta strip club that\u2019s become synonymous with lemon pepper wings<\/a> and NBA players. Lou Williams<\/a>, the longtime NBA guard, became \u201cLemon Pepper Lou<\/a>\u201d after leaving the NBA bubble in 2020 to visit Magic City, claiming he went strictly for the wings. The club even has a signature wing flavor named after him<\/a>.<\/p>\n McFarland played in the 1996 Peach Bowl<\/a> as a freshman at LSU, helping the Tigers beat Clemson 10-9. He was named Defensive MVP of that game, so apparently, spending his entire $987 per diem at a strip club the night before didn\u2019t hurt his performance.<\/p>\n McFarland may not have been prepared for Saturday\u2019s Pop-Tarts Bowl broadcast \u2014 he named LJ Martin as one of his keys to the game despite Martin being ruled out with a shoulder injury five days earlier<\/a> \u2014 but at least he was prepared for the Peach Bowl back in 1996. He knew exactly where he wanted to spend that per diem, and Magic City\u2019s lemon pepper wings clearly left an impression that lasted nearly 30 years.<\/p>\n Lou Williams would be proud.<\/p>\n \t