UNC defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie Thom Brennaman paid tribute to Chris Berman on a big-man touchdown by UNC defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie Saturday. Photo Credit: The CW
By Arthur Weinstein on

What’s the only thing better than a wild big-man TD?

A big man TD with Chris Berman announcing the play, making his trademark “rumblin’, stumblin’, bumblin'” call that will live on in broadcasting lore.

Fans watching The CW’s broadcast of the North Carolina-Virginia game Saturday got an epic big-man touchdown, and while Berman was nowhere to be found, play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman had some fun on the call paying tribute to the legendary broadcaster.

Late in the third quarter, Tar Heels defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie tipped an Anthony Colandrea pass, brought it down, and began running the other way.

“Tipped and then caught by Ritzie,” Brennaman began. “The big fella still rumblin’, stumblin’, bumblin’ — he’s gonna go the distance! If he can catch his breath! That is a touchdown! Can you believe that!”

Ritzie is huge (6-foot-4, 290 pounds), so there was plenty of him to go rumblin’, stumblin’, etc. But he handled the sprint very well, going 84 yards for the touchdown.

Let’s be clear here that Brennaman did a great job on the call, but there’s only one Chris Berman. You can’t just train broadcasters to perform like that — although Berman has tried.


Brennaman returned to broadcasting this fall with The CW, four years after his infamous homophobic slur caught on a hot mic threatened to end his career. He said he’s “overwhelmed with gratitude” to get a second chance. As he showed Saturday, he’s not afraid to have a little fun on a call.

[The CW Sports]

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.

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