During the game, I texted my son, "Is it me or is this play by play announcer a little over the top for ASU?" My son informed me that the play by play announcer is also the ring announcer for WWE Monday night Raw -- a pro wrestling announcer. I guess World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was a sponsor - they even had a WWE title belt for the game MVP.
What I really objected to was when the play by play announcer went nuts when Rocco was flattened late in the game only to have the color analyst say, "Um, I think we've got targeting here." Sure enough, it was called targeting and the ASU player was ejected. The play by play announcer backed it down after that. But he called it initially like a "spear" finishing move by a pro wrestler like Bill Goldberg or Rhyno at a WrestleMania or Royal Rumble. I don't know if someone told him directly to cool it, and I'm glad Rocco wasn't more seriously hurt.
I know everyone uses pro wrestling style flash and trash talk to jack up excitement about events.
But we could do with a little less bloodlust. We have too much of that in our politics.
Fun fact: Our once and future president is a WWE Hall of Famer.
My son and I watched that one at a sports bar in Cedar Rapids. Many disinterested Hawkeye fans. They left us alone. Little different on CyHawk gameday, depending on where you go. Told some road contractors who once complimented my ISU cap that sometimes I feel like I'm in the Confederate army. :) I try to find safe havens.
During the game, I texted my son, "Is it me or is this play by play announcer a little over the top for ASU?" My son informed me that the play by play announcer is also the ring announcer for WWE Monday night Raw -- a pro wrestling announcer. I guess World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was a sponsor - they even had a WWE title belt for the game MVP.
What I really objected to was when the play by play announcer went nuts when Rocco was flattened late in the game only to have the color analyst say, "Um, I think we've got targeting here." Sure enough, it was called targeting and the ASU player was ejected. The play by play announcer backed it down after that. But he called it initially like a "spear" finishing move by a pro wrestler like Bill Goldberg or Rhyno at a WrestleMania or Royal Rumble. I don't know if someone told him directly to cool it, and I'm glad Rocco wasn't more seriously hurt.
I know everyone uses pro wrestling style flash and trash talk to jack up excitement about events.
But we could do with a little less bloodlust. We have too much of that in our politics.
Fun fact: Our once and future president is a WWE Hall of Famer.
Thanks, Pat! Fun observations! Excellent points. Also fun fact: That very same PxP guy called ISU’s epic 2011 upset of Oklahoma State.
My son and I watched that one at a sports bar in Cedar Rapids. Many disinterested Hawkeye fans. They left us alone. Little different on CyHawk gameday, depending on where you go. Told some road contractors who once complimented my ISU cap that sometimes I feel like I'm in the Confederate army. :) I try to find safe havens.