Gus Johnson butchers ‘Mathieu’ calling wild UCLA-Texas A&M game
FOX play-by-play man Gus Johnson completely botched pronouncing Tyrann Mathieu's name in the middle of the very wild UCLA-Texas A&M game.
Let’s give FOX play-by-play man Gus Johnson props for what went well.
His final call of UCLA’s fake-spike play that led to a go-ahead touchdown in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M was very good. It came in the final minute of the game and capped the Bruins’ comeback from a late 34-point deficit. But more on that in a second.
Johnson didn’t have the best game prior to that moment.
Discussing one player (was it UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen?) who had apparently drawn comparisons to LSU product and current Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, Johnson stumbled and bumbled his way through the Honey Badger’s last name.
Gus Johnson just completely botched Tyrann Mathieu’s name and I’m so disappointed. pic.twitter.com/r0FOPFwsFg
— Renato Mazariegos (@RPMSports18) September 3, 2017
Ma-thoh?
Mah-toe?
Anyway, it wasn’t correct, and the Honey Badger was not amused by this oversight.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) September 4, 2017
The good news: Johnson recovered later in the game as the Bruins did the same thanks to the heroics of quarterback Josh Rosen.
Gus certainly nailed the pronunciation on that name, so that’s good, probably.
Someone is going to have to clean up the booth. Haha, Gus Johnson.#UCLA pic.twitter.com/XP7IL6x6BO
— Ƒormerly Ƒunhouse (@BackAftaThis) September 4, 2017
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Comments
8 Comments
I wish I could find a video tape that started earlier, to better put this in context. I thought UCLA just made a big play to get down close, but I can't be sure. I saw the game, but I don't have a specific recollection about what they exactly said before the gaff.
It happens right after UCLA has made a 1st down, inside the A&M 15, and the UCLA offense is moving quickly to the LOS. GJ is pressed to wrap up the subject so he can get back to covering the game, so I don't think he has time to stall and maybe give a signal he has to his crew when he has something he's not sure how to pronounce and wants someone to either whisper it in his ear for him, while he stalls, or get someone else who is miked to do it for instead. I had such a cue when I covered games. UCLA/ Rosen is known for running plays quickly in the red zone, especially after a big play.
I can hear him trying to sound it out phonetically, then pausing slightly after saying his first name, evidence that he's reading it.
So in your mind, someone in the production crew thought, on the fly, that a player on the field reminded them of HB, slipped Johnson a note, and he just read it aloud? C'mon.
But that's not even germaine. This happened in the middle of the game, actually in the middle of a play, not any real break in the action. it was live tv, on the fly, and that's what happens.