Steve Smith

NFL Network analyst Steve Smith introduced us all to a new spin on an old phrase Saturday.

Smith was in the NFL Network studio breaking down the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, which had just ended in a 34-31 Niners victory. Specifically, Smith and his colleagues were discussing the blown coverage on San Francisco’s game-winning drive when they converted a third-and-16. Rams corner Jalen Ramsey had allowed 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to proceed past him, assuming that safety Taylor Rapp would be there to pick the wideout up. He wasn’t and Sanders converted a 46-yard reception into a huge first down. Before the throw, Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had been getting pressure but was able to get the pass off. That put the team in field goal range for the game-winning score.

Smith was in a bit of shock about Garoppolo’s insistence on holding onto the ball and extending the play. So much so that he let loose a new phrase that will haunt us for the rest of the NFL season.

Colleen Smith deadpanning “no” afterward is pretty much all of us, though it’s unclear if she meant that in agreement to the statement, as a way to let Smith know you can’t say that, or perhaps a little bit of both.

After an awkward moment, Smith seemed to realize he’d gone way too far past “butt naked” and into dangerous territory, apologizing and then clarifying his sentiment to mean that you can’t hold onto a ball to extend a play when a guy is “open,” you simply gotta throw it.

“It’s been late,” added Smith. Perhaps not late enough for some ears that learned “butthole naked” is a thing.

[NFL Network]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director 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.