A lot of ESPN viewers were surprised to see Chris Berman hosting the network’s Super Bowl LVII post-game show. A lot of ESPN viewers were also surprised by the way that Berman decided to note that this was the first time the game featured two Black starting quarterbacks.
Right before launching into highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles for their second Super Bowl win in four seasons, Berman took the opportunity to highlight that both starters, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, are Black, which is worth calling out given that it’s never happened before in NFL history. However, he punctuated the “fun fact” with a curveball that a lot of viewers wish he could have just taken back-back-back-back-back.
"Also, of course, two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time. Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln's birthday."- Chris Berman pic.twitter.com/J1BuWQTepH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2023
“Also, of course, two African-American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time,” said Berman. “Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln’s birthday.”
That doesn’t quite make the point that Berman thinks it makes.
The stunned silence by Steve Young and Booger McFarland added to the awkwardness of the moment, coupled with Young’s nervous laughter before Berman added “it was worth the wait,” which, again, doesn’t land the way that he probably intended.
Berman’s way of marking the historic moment caught audiences and the NFL world off-guard, to say the least.
WHAT?!?!?! https://t.co/zaOFFKnQDg
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) February 13, 2023
https://t.co/2QXTH1Ymdh pic.twitter.com/NJwtqVJhvP
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/BrianMFloyd/status/1624986939026972673
This man brought up Abe Lincoln. Thank you Abe for freeing the Blacks to have this Super Bowl moment. Bwaha https://t.co/HjJPqdUQLv
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 13, 2023
But let's keep banning AP Black History courses since they have no value https://t.co/G1IY9xTXGs
— Collin Sherwin (@CollinSherwin) February 13, 2023
Whoop(s), indeed.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.