A raccoon ran on the pitch during an MLS match Wednesday night, and as the drama unfolded, the Apple TV broadcast team began actively cheering for the creature to escape.
The raccoon interrupted the Philadelphia Union and New York FC match, and it proved quite elusive, as more and more staff started chasing it around.
Play-by-play announcer Callum Williams and color analyst Calen Carr became more animated as the chase continued.
‘We need to find him a ball because he’s moving very well at the center of midfield,” Williams joked.
“This is how you clear out a party,” Carr observed.
“What’s the guy with the headset going to do?” Carr wondered.
“The raccoon now evading even more of the individuals trying to capture him … and still the raccoon goes on. This is marvelous entertainment!” Williams said.
“At what point are we just rooting for him?” Carr asked.
“Very nearly got away!” Williams said. “C’mon raccoon, you can get away! You can get out! … They got him! They got the raccoon!”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite as bizarre as this… THIS IS MARVELOUS ENTERTAINMENT… COME ON, RACCOON! VERY NEARLY GOT AWAY! YOU CAN GET OUT! DON’T HURT HIM! THEY GOT HIM! THEY GOT THE RACCOON! ” 🦝⚽️🎙️🤣 https://t.co/yiInNAx6AH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 16, 2024
Of course, anytime someone, or something, runs on a sports field, the announcers’ commentary is compared to the acknowledged master of the craft, Kevin Harlan. Whether he’s calling a fan on the field at a Super Bowl or NBA game, or a cat on the field during a Monday Night Football game, Harlan’s calls on that are always entertaining.
But Williams and Carr gave us the best “Raccoon on the Field” call so far in 2024.
[@thecomeback]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.