Current:Home > ScamsTony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less -Capitatum
Tony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-06 07:29:59
Amid a season filled with criticism, Tony Romo had one last chance − on the biggest stage of all − to go out on top.
But like a snap on a crucial field-goal attempt, Romo fumbled with the game on the line.
The Kansas City Chiefs scored a thrilling victory in Super Bowl 58, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. But after CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz crisply called the game-winning touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Mecole Hardman, Romo picked up the call like that football in the 2006 NFC wild card game and took it on a long, meandering road to who-knows-where.
Less than three seconds after Nantz gave one of his signature closing lines − "Jackpot, Kansas City!" − Romo failed to give the historic moment time to breathe, immediately jumping into an analysis of the playcall, the midseason trade for Hardman and Mahomes' place in history.
Over that same 29-second span, the broadcast showed images of Taylor Swift celebrating in her suite, dejected 49ers players and coaches, Hardman reveling in the moment and Chiefs coach Andy Reid receiving congratulations. The full spectrum of emotions that are usually the focus in the Super Bowl's immediate aftermath.
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.
It was perhaps a fitting conclusion to an up-and-down broadcast for Romo and Nantz.
Tony Romo sings!
The game started slowly with a scoreless first quarter, so Romo tried to add a little fun to the mix in the second by singing along with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" as CBS faded to commercial.
But Romo didn't stop there. Though he showed restraint by not referring to Taylor Swift − jokingly or otherwise − as the "wife" of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Romo did break into song again over a camera shot of Swift with Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" playing in the background.
Romo's key observations
As for the game itself, Romo correctly identified the fact that Kelce was on the sidelines on a crucial fumble by Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. But he seemed to downplay the sideline confrontation between Kelce and coach Andy Reid after the play.
Early in the fourth quarter, with San Francisco facing a fourth-and-3 at the Chiefs' 15-yard line, Romo insisted the Niners should go for it rather than attempt a game-tying field goal.
He turned out to be right as the Niners converted on fourth down and scored the touchdown that put them up 16-13 just two plays later.
Romo and Nantz also seemed to get in each other's way a couple times down the stretch. Once in trying to figure out if the Chiefs had time for one more play in the final seconds of regulation to either go for a touchdown to win or kick a field goal to tie. (Harrison Butker ended up converting a 29-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.)
The other instance was Romo's rather lengthy and convoluted explanation of the NFL playoff overtime rules and what happens if the quarter runs out at the end of the first overtime period. That problem was solved when Mahomes hit Hardman for the winning score with 3 seconds remaining in overtime.
Romo calls 'partial streaker' on the field
Of course, the Super Bowl broadcast wasn't all football analysis (and singing). There was a moment of levity during the third quarter when two people ran out onto the field.
"We got people on the field," Romo alerted the audience, which Nantz confirmed.
"There's a partial streaker. Shirt off," Romo added. "But we can't talk about it."
In the end, the quality of the game itself generally overshadows the quality of the announcing − especially when a network can throw all of its resources into the broadcast.
Super Bowl 58 was filled with dramatic moments, especially in the second half and overtime. The camera work and direction were outstanding. Nantz was his usual understated self. And Romo had a decent game overall, but him talking over the game-winning TD celebration − one of the cardinal sins of broadcasting − is what TV viewers will remember most.
veryGood! (1558)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Jelly Roll Reacts to Katy Perry’s Hope That He Replaces Her on American Idol
- Donald Trump calls Joe Biden weak on antisemitism, ignoring his own rhetoric
- F1 Miami food prices circulated lacked context. Here's why $280 lobster rolls were on menu
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Wake Up and Enjoy This Look Inside the 2024 Met Gala
- 2024 Met Gala: Charlie Hunman’s Rare Outing Will Get Your Heartbeat Racing
- Penske suspends Cindric and 3 others in the wake of a cheating scandal ahead of the Indianapolis 500
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Demi Moore's 2024 Met Gala Dress Is, Um, Made From Wallpaper
Ranking
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Man, 75, confesses to killing wife in hospital because he couldn't afford her care, court documents say
- 'I did it. I killed her.' Man charged with strangling wife in hospital bed over medical bills
- Tennessee company fined nearly $650K for illegally hiring minors to clean slaughterhouses
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Boeing's Starliner mission was scrubbed Monday. Here's when it will try to launch again.
- Floods in southern Brazil kill at least 60, more than 100 missing
- Penske suspends Cindric and 3 others in the wake of a cheating scandal ahead of the Indianapolis 500
Recommendation
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
Australian boy killed by police was in deradicalization program since causing school explosion
Powerful storms bring tornadoes to Oklahoma, large hail to Kansas. Forecasts warn more is to come
Donald Trump calls Joe Biden weak on antisemitism, ignoring his own rhetoric
British swimmer Adam Peaty: There are worms in the food at Paris Olympic Village
WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024 bracket: Schedule, results of tournament
From the Steps to the Streets, Here’s How To Wear This Year’s Garden of Time Theme IRL
WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024 bracket: Schedule, results of tournament