Oh no.
If you do believe in NFL announcers jinxing kickers right before they boot footballs — there’s a history of this, from Al Michaels with Justin Tucker to Joe Buck with Tucker — then this might be an all-timer of an announcer jinx.
The Lions’ Michael Badgley hadn’t missed any kick — PAT or field goal — all year in his five games with the Detroit Lions. As he lined up for a 29-yard field goal on Thanksgiving in the eventual loss to the Buffalo Bills, CBS’s Jim Nantz remarked, “Do not talk to me about an announcer’s jinx,” before telling the world that Badgley had been perfect for the Lions thus far.
What did Badgley then do? He shanked it. Tony Romo’s reaction was priceless:
Holy jinx by Jim Nantz. This might be the ultimate announcers jinx. pic.twitter.com/NjHqszfSHE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 24, 2022
I just witnessed the greatest moment in football announcing history.
Jim Nantz specifically says “don’t talk to me about the announcer’s jinx, but (DET K) Michael Badgley hasn’t missed a kick all year.”
Then he missed it.
— Bruce Nolan (@BruceExclusive) November 24, 2022
Oof! For what it’s worth, Nantz jinxed Stephen Gostkowski in Super Bowl 53. Of course, jinxes aren’t real (right?), and it happens to every announcer. Either way, it’s amazing every time.
