MovieChat Forums > The NFL on NBC Discussion > The STRANGEST NFL Announcer CONTROVERSY ...

The STRANGEST NFL Announcer CONTROVERSY in NBC HISTORY

posted 2 years ago by TMC-4 (19392)
1 reply | jump to latest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okZCRLVxXMs

Prior to a 1987 NFL game between the Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns, the Oilers were so upset at the announcers assigned for the game (Reggie Rucker and Jim Donovan) that they publicly complained to NBC and requested that the network change its announcer pairing. A complaint like this was unprecedented. Let's just say NBC did not take too kindly to the request, and the aftermath of the game was not pretty. This is the story behind the crazy controversy involving the NFL on NBC.

[–] JosephQCat (706) 2 years ago

This was at the height of the animosity towards the Oilers by the rest of the old AFC Central. Jerry Glanville was the Oilers coach and many considered the play he encouraged for his players was dirty. Chuck Noll of the Steelers also disliked Sam Wyche of the Bengals. I remember the end of a Oilers-Steelers game late in 1986 and when Glanville went to shake hands with Noll Noll would not immediately release Glanville's hand and was obviously pissed over what went on in that game. Marty Schottenheimer was the Browns coach and he had his own issues with Wyche and Glanville. The Oilers and Steelers at that time were not good enough for national or late games so they often got Jim Donovan, Tom Hammond, Reggie Rucker, etc. for their games. I don't think that the Oilers got much love from the pregame crew of Costas, Frank DeFord. Ahmad Rashad, and Paul Maguire. I think that the Oilers even got negative mention from personalities that normally did not do their games such as Bob Trumpy. Add to that the Oilers owner Bud Adams had somewhat of a salty personality.