Danny Kanell brings back turtleneck, Twitter mocks away

There are plenty of unusual fashion trends in sports media, but one of the most remarkable is Danny Kanell and the turtleneck. The turtleneck Kanell wore back in January drew plenty of attention, and he told Awful Announcing earlier this month that “I’ll wear one again.”He then ran a Twitter poll last week asking if he should don a turtleneck again, but only got 49 per cent support:

Is it time to break out the turtleneck?

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) November 19, 2016

Despite the loss in the popular vote (or a win if this is a plurality and you consider the other two options vote-splitting), the day of turtleneckening has now come. Here’s a clip of Kanell again wearing his black turtleneck on the halftime show for ESPN’s broadcast of the Michigan State – Penn State game Saturday, and discussing Jim Harbaugh’s officiating complaints from the end of Michigan – Ohio State:

As before, Twitter did not take this well:

The MVPs today are Adnan Virk and Joey Galloway who aren't laughing every time they look at Danny Kanell and his turtleneck.

— JF (@JF_Fey) November 26, 2016

Man, it's hard to take Danny Kanell serious even when he has a good point in that sweater. Just can't do turtleneck sweaters.

— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) November 26, 2016

Does does Danny Kanell honestly think he looks good in that turtleneck? I'm embarrassed for him.

— Dan Chickeral (@DanChickeral) November 26, 2016

https://twitter.com/FiskPT/status/802642155592384512

ESPN needs to fire Danny Kanell for wearing a turtleneck on live television as a football broadcaster.

— Andrew Smyth (@andrewTsmyth) November 26, 2016

Calling for a firing over a wardrobe choice seems harsh, but it’s clear Kanell’s turtleneck has its share of haters. As he told AA, though, he appreciates the garment’s practicality and its different feel:

“Warmth and they’re different than the everyday monotony of wearing a suit and tie.”

And Virk gave Kanell some limited praise, at least noting that it garnered attention:

everyone's talking about it. Smart move right @mbretosESPN

— Adnan Virk (@adnansvirk) November 26, 2016

Kanell also noted that numerous athletes, including LeBron James and Roger Federer, have started wearing turtlenecks since January. If Kanell’s really trying to promote the turtleneck, though, he should turn to Sterling Archer:

Don’t worry if you hate Kanell’s turtleneck, though. He told AA earlier that “I’ll wear one again but never thought about making it a staple. I like to mix it up too much to have one look be for me.” The question is if his mixing it up will attract as much attention, though. The turtleneck’s certainly a unique statement, and Kanell’s the only sports media personality trying it these days.

[Ben Koo on Clippit]