Current:Home > MyTony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less -AssetTrainer
Tony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less
View
Date:2025-04-24 17:22:50
Amid a season filled with criticism, Tony Romo had one last chance − on the biggest stage of all − to go out on top.
But like a snap on a crucial field-goal attempt, Romo fumbled with the game on the line.
The Kansas City Chiefs scored a thrilling victory in Super Bowl 58, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. But after CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz crisply called the game-winning touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Mecole Hardman, Romo picked up the call like that football in the 2006 NFC wild card game and took it on a long, meandering road to who-knows-where.
Less than three seconds after Nantz gave one of his signature closing lines − "Jackpot, Kansas City!" − Romo failed to give the historic moment time to breathe, immediately jumping into an analysis of the playcall, the midseason trade for Hardman and Mahomes' place in history.
Over that same 29-second span, the broadcast showed images of Taylor Swift celebrating in her suite, dejected 49ers players and coaches, Hardman reveling in the moment and Chiefs coach Andy Reid receiving congratulations. The full spectrum of emotions that are usually the focus in the Super Bowl's immediate aftermath.
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.
It was perhaps a fitting conclusion to an up-and-down broadcast for Romo and Nantz.
Tony Romo sings!
The game started slowly with a scoreless first quarter, so Romo tried to add a little fun to the mix in the second by singing along with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" as CBS faded to commercial.
But Romo didn't stop there. Though he showed restraint by not referring to Taylor Swift − jokingly or otherwise − as the "wife" of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Romo did break into song again over a camera shot of Swift with Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" playing in the background.
Romo's key observations
As for the game itself, Romo correctly identified the fact that Kelce was on the sidelines on a crucial fumble by Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. But he seemed to downplay the sideline confrontation between Kelce and coach Andy Reid after the play.
Early in the fourth quarter, with San Francisco facing a fourth-and-3 at the Chiefs' 15-yard line, Romo insisted the Niners should go for it rather than attempt a game-tying field goal.
He turned out to be right as the Niners converted on fourth down and scored the touchdown that put them up 16-13 just two plays later.
Romo and Nantz also seemed to get in each other's way a couple times down the stretch. Once in trying to figure out if the Chiefs had time for one more play in the final seconds of regulation to either go for a touchdown to win or kick a field goal to tie. (Harrison Butker ended up converting a 29-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.)
The other instance was Romo's rather lengthy and convoluted explanation of the NFL playoff overtime rules and what happens if the quarter runs out at the end of the first overtime period. That problem was solved when Mahomes hit Hardman for the winning score with 3 seconds remaining in overtime.
Romo calls 'partial streaker' on the field
Of course, the Super Bowl broadcast wasn't all football analysis (and singing). There was a moment of levity during the third quarter when two people ran out onto the field.
"We got people on the field," Romo alerted the audience, which Nantz confirmed.
"There's a partial streaker. Shirt off," Romo added. "But we can't talk about it."
In the end, the quality of the game itself generally overshadows the quality of the announcing − especially when a network can throw all of its resources into the broadcast.
Super Bowl 58 was filled with dramatic moments, especially in the second half and overtime. The camera work and direction were outstanding. Nantz was his usual understated self. And Romo had a decent game overall, but him talking over the game-winning TD celebration − one of the cardinal sins of broadcasting − is what TV viewers will remember most.
veryGood! (2138)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Captive in a chicken coop: The plight of debt bondage workers
- Brazil’s Lula takes heat on oil plans at UN climate talks, a turnaround after hero status last year
- Workshop collapses in southern China, killing 6 and injuring 3
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Commissioner Adam Silver: NBA can't suspend Thunder's Josh Giddey on 'allegation alone'
- 3 Alabama officers fired in connection to fatal shooting of Black man at his home
- Expert witnesses for Trump's defense billed almost $900,000 each for testifying on his behalf at fraud trial
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Greyhound bus service returns to Mississippi’s capital city
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- College football award winners for 2023 season: Who took home trophies?
- Two Indiana police officers are acquitted of excessive force in 2020 protesters’ arrests
- Commissioner Adam Silver: NBA can't suspend Thunder's Josh Giddey on 'allegation alone'
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on Israel and Ukraine funding
- H&M's Sale Has On-Trend Winter Finds & They're All up to 60% Off
- Columbus Crew top LAFC to win franchise's third MLS Cup
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Military-themed brewery wants to open in a big Navy town. An ex-SEAL is getting in the way
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is marking its 75th anniversary?
At UN climate talks, cameras are everywhere. Many belong to Emirati company with a murky history
Small twin
How Felicity Huffman Is Rebuilding Her Life After the College Admissions Scandal
New York increases security at Jewish sites after shots fired outside Albany synagogue
A year after lifting COVID rules, China is turning quarantine centers into apartments