I do not know if FOX BCS National Championship game announcer Thom Brennaman is, in some obscure way, related to Tim Tebow. I do not know if he is secretly a gigantic Florida Gators fan. I do not know if Brennaman believes Tebow is the second coming.What I do know is this: Brennaman was so far over the top in his pro-Tebow hyperbole on Thursday that the game became darn-near unwatchable unless the volume was off.
It started in the first half, when Brennaman stated that "if you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes or 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it," and continued from there. He basically repeated that line early in the second half and then, when Florida put the game away in the fourth, Brennaman let it all out.
Not only did Brennaman go on and on about what a remarkable man Tebow is, but he backed Tebow against Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks -- who said Tebow would be no better than the fourth-best QB in the Big 12 -- stating that was "probably the most ridiculous statement ever said." Even after Tebow earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting Oklahoma's defense, Brennaman claimed: "That might be the first thing he's ever done wrong."
All of this would have been bad enough had FOX put together a spectacular broadcast worthy of a national-title game.
Unfortunately, FOX did not. In the first half, Brennaman and his partner Charles Davis launched into an excited discussion about whether or not Oklahoma should go for it on fourth-and-goal from the Florida two. Of course, the dumbfounding duo had this discussion prior to third down, then did it again prior to the actual fourth-down play, then talked about how they didn't know what down it was.
Of course, FOX's broadcasting missteps -- like talking repeatedly about Florida's defensive success, but failing to explain how the Gators kept blitzing AND still staying on Oklahoma's athletic receivers; or calling Chris Rainey "questionable to return" after his leg nearly ripped apart at the knee -- paled in comparison to Brennaman's personal love letter to Timmy Tebow.
It was like in middle school, when a guy likes a girl, so he tells that girl's friend instead of the girl herself (anyone? was that just me?) ... except Brennaman likes Tebow, so he told the entire freakin' world about it. We were one up-tempo musical number from the main love story of a Disney movie.
So, congratulations to Florida for another national championship. Even congratulations to Tebow himself, who again showed himself to be a great college player.
But, most of all, congrats to Thom Brennaman -- you made me long for John Madden calling one of Brett Favre's games, and that is something that I never thought possible.
Comments (Page 1 of 5)
That's one game I would not want to win. I'm tacky and I love it.
That's reaching MSNBC-OBAMA level of slurpege
Tebow cured the announcers of their erectile dysfunction
Man! It was the worst man-crush I've ever witnessed. I couldn't believe he said, "He is the unquestioned greatest collegiate leader in college football!" Blah! My nephew finally groaned, well let me clean up for you a little bit, "Can you get off his um....er...huh manhood for one second or just go ahead and do him!" Truly the most unprofessional job ever.
The easiest thing in the world to do is congratulate a loser(when you're the winner). I'm tacky and I love it.
Unfortunatly many of us did not get to see the first half because FOX went off the air from 7:30-9:00 on Comcast.
Worked fine for me. Did you pay your bill?
Chris was exactly on the mark. What a farce that game was. They did in fact call it 4th dowwn when it was 3rd. That was a total farce. Utah is # 1. People open yours eyes.
No, they're number 2.
Tebow deserves all the praise he gets. A young man at 21 to have his life in proper perspective is truly amazing. Yes Thom Brenn was over the top but what broadcaster doesnt sensationalize? That is the world we live in but if any athlete deserves the over the top praise... Tebow is certainly one.
Yes he truly is the messiah, worthy of all praise. I rank them like this:
Tebow
Winston Churchill
Abe Lincoln
Wade Phillips
It would've been fine, Clue, had he spread the love to a few other deserving players on BOTH teams. All that I heard all evening is Lord Tebow this, and Saint Tebow that. I could be wrong, but there could have been as many as 21 other young men on that field at any given time, worthy of a little praise as well. TT may be the second coming. We get it. Let's move on. Watching football on FOX is akin to getting invited to the Champagne Room but having to sit in the corner facing the wall, alone.
Bradford is an amazing gentleman also. He is very open about his faith in Christ, and says he reads the story of David and Goliath before every game. It was not only an insult to Sam to say that Tebow was the "Greatest leader in collegiate football," but to the many other fine young college players some who have gone to Iraq and back. And why play Tebow's speech after a defeat and not Bradford's humble acceptance of the Heisman. No my friend, I have watched every high profile collegiate game, and I have never seen anything so unprofessional...EVER.
Oh brother..Timmy is a great college player,but Timmy is also the most obnoxious puke on 2 legs.I think Thom was holding the mic in 1 hand and chokin his chicken with the other.These 2 should get a room.
Chris you are a puke and the rest of you who have nothing nice to say are merely jealous of a truly wonderful young man and his accomplishments (to date-plus there will be more).
Go Gators!!!!!
You want Vegas to settle the national debt ? - Have Utah & Texas play, followed by USC-Florida, then the next week, winner's play one another...Might match super bowl ratings and ad rev. $$$, But give the players a taste ( $ ) Seniors get their share week of graduation, others classes, in trust, till after their class graduates. Everybody wins...Instant replay and both teams get the ball, one time in O.T., if needed.
Tim proved himself a great player,sportsman christian ,and something we need more than anything role model.
Yeah great christian was what I was thinking when they flagged him for unsportmanlike conduct.
Please do some googling on Bradford's open challenge to share one's Christian faith. He is very open and consistent in his service to Christ. He also reads the story of David and Goliath before every game, and does many things within the Christian community. I am proud of Tebow's devotion, but it is unfair to neglect Sam's and the many other up front Christian athletes.
This game wasn't as good as the Texas/Ohio State game in Glendale!!!!!