Apr 1, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz acknowledges the crowd in the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament between the Florida Atlantic Owls and San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
By Michael Dixon on

Before Sunday afternoon’s Wild Card Weekend game between the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, both teams honored the man who will be calling the game on CBS, Jim Nantz.

Sunday’s game will be the 500th NFL game Nantz has called — with his first coming in 1988.

On Friday, the Bills shared a photo of Nantz, standing with Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli, quarterback Josh Allen and general manager Brandon Beane. They presented Nantz with a game ball, on behalf of the team.

A day later, the Broncos followed suit.

Coach Sean Payton gave a brief speech.

“It’s not just any game, right? There’s more people here than the last one. It’s not just any game. Also, this is game No. 500. This is game No. 500,” he said, before presenting Nantz with a game ball.

“It’s a poor comparison but it’s special to get this from you because I got to be there for a Lombardi Trophy presentation to you,” Nantz said, referencing Payton, then coach of the New Orleans Saints, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Nantz was also on the call for both team’s most recent postseason game. For the Bills, that was the Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s playoffs. For the Broncos, it was their win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

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