Current:Home > NewsTony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less -MoneyTrend
Tony Romo's singing, meandering Super Bowl broadcast left us wanting ... less
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-10 06:23:47
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! (37837)
Related
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Police officer in Wilbraham, Mass., seriously injured in shooting; suspect in custody
- North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear attack drone
- Saudi Arabia won’t recognize Israel without a path to a Palestinian state, top diplomat says
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- National Cheese Lover's Day: How to get Arby's deal, enter Wisconsin cheese dreams contest
- Colorado newspaper copies stolen from stands on same day a rape report is released
- Simone Biles Supports Husband Jonathan Owens After Packers Lose in Playoffs
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Pakistani security forces kill 7 militants during a raid near the border with Afghanistan
Ranking
- Trump's 'stop
- Looking to eat more protein? Consider adding chicken to your diet. Here's why.
- Who spends the most on groceries each week (and who pays the least)? Census data has answers
- Taylor Swift cheers on Travis Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs again take on Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Stabbing in Austin leaves one person dead and two injured
- Texas prosecutor convenes grand jury to investigate Uvalde school shooting, multiple media outlets report
- Retrial set to begin for man who fatally shot ex-Saints star after traffic collision
Recommendation
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Abortion opponents at March for Life appreciate Donald Trump, but seek a sharper stance on the issue
Eagles fire defensive coordinator Sean Desai, per report. Will coach Nick Siriani return?
Man arrested near Taylor Swift’s NYC townhouse after reported break-in attempt
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Poland’s prime minister visits Ukraine in latest show of foreign support for the war against Russia
NFL divisional playoff winners, losers from Sunday: Young Lions, resilient Chiefs triumph
Retrial set to begin for man who fatally shot ex-Saints star after traffic collision