Rick Reilly: Zach Johnson shut me up

Life has a funny way, as Alanis Morrissette sang in "Ironic."

Sunday, writer/broadcaster Rick Reilly was in Regis Middle School in Cedar Rapids to tape his "Homecoming with Rick Reilly" program with former Regis Royal, Kurt Warner.

For those not from this area, Regis was a high school then.

Another famed Regis alum, pro golfer Zach Johnson, had the following said about him by Reilly after Johnson's Masters win in 2007:

“I think Zach Johnson - in 10 years - has a real chance to be your server at Olive Garden.”

OK, Reilly already did his mea culpa at ESPN.com, and it was noted here. The reason I'm dragging this up again is that Reilly reiterated his words at Regis Sunday, in Johnson's old school.

"In my defense," Reilly joked, "I'd had a fifth of scotch before I said that.

"I'm on the Dan Patrick Show and I'd seen so many Ben Curtises and Todd Hamiltons and Shaun Micheels (one-time majors winners) and (Paul) Lawrie, the guy who won the British Open. He was like an upholsterer.

"Here was this guy (Johnson)  who hadn't won anything. So I say you're a a waiter at Olive Garden.

"Of course, it turned out to be the dumbest comment in the history of golf commentary.

"Good for him. He shut me up."