It seems in the last year I’ve been rolling my eyes more and more at blunders and dumb mistakes made by sports commentators. We’ll highlight some of the gems we find here. We’d also love to hear about some that you stumble on. This little gem came from Phil Simms calling the Broncos-Eagles game a couple weeks ago, commenting on why the Broncos took the ball when they won the coin toss:
You do it so Philadelphia doesn’t have the ball at the end of the first half and then the start of the second half, give them a chance for 14 points. … Ya know, a lot of people don’t think of that, that’s one of the reasons why you want to take the ball on the opening kickoff.
In other words, “You give Philadelphia the ball to start the second half so they don’t start the second half with the ball.” A lot of people don’t think of that? You’re right, Phil, they don’t! In fact, it’s probably news to everybody else.
I know Simms understands the rules of the NFL, so it’s impossible to think of any reason for that comment other than some stiff bloddy marys before the game started.
Please leave sports blunders you hear either here or on our discussion board.
on Jan 5th, 2010 at 3:51 PM
I tend to watch most sports with the sound off, to tell you the truth. Even when the chitchat isn’t necessarily a blunder, it’s still usually boneheaded – especially the “manly” commentators who intersperse their patter with exclamations such as “golly” and “my gosh.”
on Jan 5th, 2010 at 6:22 PM
Watching the Vikings-Giants game this Sunday reminded me that Tony Siradouchebag is responsible for more than his fair share of such stupid comments.
on Jan 5th, 2010 at 6:44 PM
My dad is a sports commentator so he’s always critical (both good and bad) when he’s watching sports, and for better or for worst those critiques have carried over to the way I listen to games. I find myself turning the volume down more often than not.
One note to football commentators: a “reverse” and “end-around” are two different things…learn the differnce!!!
on Jan 5th, 2010 at 11:05 PM
There are at least one horrendous mistake per game that makes me roll my eyes. I forget the exact game, but I remember a commentator being completely off on the score for a few possessions near the end of the game. It was bad.
on Jan 6th, 2010 at 8:15 PM
I’m not sure Phil Simms really does know the rules–I have heard too many flat out incorrect statements from him to think he is anything other than a half-wit. We all know that quarterbacks may not know the rules. Donovan McNabb didn’t know a game could end in a tie, after all.