Vikings radio broadcast misses wide right on Greg Joseph’s failed FG
Sep 20, 2021, 9:48 AM | Updated: 9:48 am
Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
The Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings went down to the wire in Arizona’s home-opening win over the visiting team Sunday.
After trading blows for most of the day, the Vikings had one last chance to pick up their first victory of the season.
It all came down to the leg of Greg Joseph. The kicker had already booted two 52-yarders through the uprights. Next up, a 37-yarder with four seconds left on the clock to seal the win for Minnesota.
For those watching on TV or in the stands of State Farm Stadium, you knew right away the attempt sailed wide right.
The folks listening to Paul Allen and the Vikings radio broadcast, however, heard something much different.
“High snap, but down, Joseph, come on! It is … gooood! No, he missed it,” Allen said.
AS CALLED ON VIKINGS RADIO: pic.twitter.com/11794IWphj
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 20, 2021
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While Allen’s view of the kick may have been skewed by the angle of the broadcast
booth, the call certainly sent Minnesota fans from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in an instant.
It’s not the first time Allen has made a memorable call to end a Cardinals-Vikings game at Minnesota’s despair.
Looking to punch their ticket into the postseason back in 2003, all the 9-6 Vikings had to do was come into Sun Devil Stadium and beat Josh McCown and the 4-11 Cardinals in the regular season finale.
And just like on Sunday, the matchup came down to the final seconds of the game.
But this time, McCown and wide receiver Nate Poole played spoiler to Minnesota’s hopes of winning, with the signal caller finding the wideout for the 28-yard game-winning touchdown.
And right there to call it all as the Vikings’ nightmare scenario unfolded was Allen.
“Here it is, the season’s on the line,” Allen said. “Two receivers left and right. McCown takes the snap, he steps up, he’s all by himself. Fires it into the end zone … touch … touchdown! No! No! The Cardinals have knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs. … There are Minnesota Vikings crying on the field.”
It’s safe to say the Vikings don’t have the fondest memories of their time in the Valley.
