Despite his best efforts, Kevin Burkhardt likely won't be getting a game ball from Mike McCarthy.
Fox Sports' lead play-by-play man for the network's NFL coverage took to social media to apologize for "ruining" Brandon Aubrey's perfect rookie ledger during Sunday's showdown against the Washington Commanders. Burkhardt lauded Aubrey's accomplishments to date before his first missed triple of the season was blocked and yielded a Washington scoring drive.
The Cowboys' expansive fanbase waged pixelated war on Burkhardt, blaming the so-called "announcer's jinx" for spoiling Aubrey's flawless ledger. Burkhardt made amends with an apology that perfectly toed the line between sincere and tongue-in-cheek.
"Dear Dallas Cowboys fans, I’m sorry for ruining Brandon Aubrey’s perfect season," Burkhardt wrote in a Monday post on X. "Also, you’re welcome for the NFC East title and yesterday’s blowout win."
Burkhardt was on the call for the Cowboys' regular season finale in Landover and played witness to history in the 38-10 win: the Cowboys' outright clinch of an NFC East title was memorable enough but Burkhardt and color commentator Greg Olsen got to call the first career miss of Aubrey, ending his NFL-record streak of 35 consecutive three-point conversions to begin his career.
Shortly before the kick, a 32-yard boot that was blocked by Joshua Pryor, Burkhardt tempted fate by declaring that Aubrey was engaged in "historically the greatest season by a kicker ever," much to Olsen's humorous discomfort.
“I’m not talking about it," Olsen steadfastly declared before the boot. "We’re going to show it, and we’re going to leave it be.”
After the miss, Olsen playfully chastised his broadcast partner for bringing about the wrath of Cowboys fans upon them. Burkhardt made sure to seek redemption from Olsen in his remarks.
"Hopefully (Olsen) will be able to talk kickers with me again now," Burkhardt said. "Sincerely, KB (and all announcer jinxes all time)."
Aubrey's sensational rookie season ended in bittersweet fashion: while he could be absolved of the blame for the block, he later missed a 36-yard try that clanged off one of the uprights in the fourth quarter. While the victory over woebegone Washington was well in hand, Dallas (12-5) hardly needs a repeat of last year's kooky kicking woes that saw Brett Maher miss all but one of five extra point attempts in two playoff games.
Aubrey did offer a strong semblance of reassurance on Dallas' final drive: with backups driving to the Washington 32, the former Notre Dame soccer star successfully booted a 50-yard try, creating Sunday's final margin. Aubrey maintained his perfect record in deep balls, as he finished the year 10-for-10 from at least 50 yards away.
Burkhardt made sure to get his apology out of the way immediately, as he and Olsen will likely be back on the mikes for the Cowboys' Wild Card game on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers (3:30 p.m. CT, Fox).
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