NFL fans are expressing frustration with play-by-play announcer Tony Romo for what they perceive as “ruining” the climactic moment of Super Bowl LVIII. Instead of allowing viewers to savor the moment, Romo continued to speak for 30 seconds while players celebrated on the field, detracting from the incredible finish for many.
Romo and Jim Nantz provided commentary for the thrilling Super Bowl showdown between the 49ers and Chiefs. Although the game started slowly with a scoreless first quarter and only one touchdown in the first half, the second half saw a dramatic shift.
The two teams exchanged blows throughout the final 30 minutes, ultimately leading to a 19-19 tie and requiring overtime. San Francisco kicked a field goal on their opening drive in the extra session, setting the stage for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to make a potential game-winning drive.
Kansas City’s offense delivered, marching 75 yards down the field over 13 plays and consuming more than seven minutes of clock time. The drive culminated in a dramatic touchdown pass from Mahomes to Mecole Hardman, sealing the victory for the Chiefs.
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However, Romo’s commentary during the play received backlash from viewers. Many criticized him for unnecessary chatter, with some feeling he muddled the broadcast with confusion over the NFL’s overtime rules.
“He really ruined a special Nantz call,” one viewer commented, reflecting the sentiment of many.
“Game-winning TD and Tony Romo rambled for 30 seconds straight. That made my blood boil,” another frustrated fan expressed.
Even fellow play-by-play announcers were perturbed by Romo’s call.
The prevailing sentiment among viewers was that Romo should have allowed the emotion and celebration of the final play to dominate the broadcast or permitted Nantz to complete his thoughts uninterrupted.
While Romo’s style has drawn criticism in the past, his co-host has defended him. However, his penchant for lengthy commentary continues to alienate some viewers.
