The best sports broadcasters can even turn broken plays into entertainment for fans viewing at home.
Mike Tirico showed off that skill with a hilarious, off-script call during Week 5’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ divisional clash between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.
In the second half, there had still only been nine total points scored in the Sunday night prime-time game. When Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a pass away into the stands, Tirico seized on an opportunity to inject some excitement into the broadcast.
After a fan standing in the front row caught Allen’s throwaway, he turned around and bolted for the exit. Tirico was on the call for the fan’s mad dash up the Highmark Stadium stairs.
‘Nice catch there,’ Tirico began as the fan wearing a Matt Milano jersey hauled in Allen’s throwaway. ‘Oh, he’s gone!’
‘Milano! Milano’s gonna go! He’s in row 10! He’s in row 15! He might get a beer! Where are you going, man? It’s your moment! Milano, row 40, led by Allen (another fan wearing an Allen jersey). He’s going to take it the distance!’
‘Maybe it wasn’t his seat, maybe he doesn’t want to be on TV. He’s gone,’ Tirico said.
The moment was up among the most exciting for the Bills that night. Buffalo scored a touchdown one play after the throwaway to take its first and only lead of the night. The Patriots scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive and held on to win the divisional matchup, handing the Bills their first loss of the year.