The football world has varying opinions of current CBS lead NFL analyst Tony Romo; some football fans either hate him or love him, but most probably aren't all that passionate either way.
But at least one media member, "Mad Dog" Chris Russo, has made up his mind, and it took just one questionable play call on Romo's part.
While Romo and his broadcast partner Jim Nance were calling the Bills-Chiefs AFC playoff game, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback misidentified a famous play from NFL playoffs past.
On the first play from scrimmage, Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a pass in the flat to receiver Stefon Diggs who caught the ball but then fumbled it near the sideline. Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid smartly batted the ball out of bounds.
Romo referenced former Steelers running back Franco Harris when analyzing Kincaid's play, likening it to the famous "Immaculate Reception" when Harris caught a deflected pass to score a touchdown in the waning seconds of a 13-7 Steelers win in the 1972 AFC Divisional playoff game.
“I know he makes $17 million and everyone gets a kick out of him, I’ve had enough. Tony, our little pal, Romo…” Russo screamed on ESPN's “First Take” before telling viewers where Romo messed up. “He needs a history lesson, call me,” Russo said of Romo.
Russo then described the "Holy Roller" play that more closely resembled what Kincaid did against the Chiefs.
Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler fumbled the ball at the Chargers' 24-yard line in the 1978 regular season opener. The ball was then batted forward by Raiders running back Pete Banaszak before tight end Dave Casper knocked the ball forward farther before falling on it in the end zone for a score.
Russo appealed to Romo's broadcast partner Nantz to correct him. “That is awful, awful, awful, awful. Nantz, say something!” yelped Russo.
Romo has faced increasing criticism of his performance since signing a 10-year, $180 million contract with CBS in 2020. And criticism is fine. We're not sure ESPN screaming about it is going to help, however.
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