Viewers watching last night’s season opener of ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" got a little something extra in their telecast.
Analyst Ron Jaworski, a former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, uttered the word “s–t” (it rhymes with fit) during the live 7 p.m. ET broadcast of the Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots game, reports USA Today.
Jaworski, whose nickname is Jaws, was apparently caught up in the moment, and said in frustration that the Dolphins’ quarterback had to do a better job. What Jaworski said, loud and clear, was: “S–t, you have to get rid of this ball, just a split second quicker."
Neither Jon Gruden nor Mike Tirico, the other two broadcasters in the booth, said anything when Jaworski said the word. Soon after the foul-up, Jaworski apologized to viewers for his slip of the lip.
ESPN does not use a tape delay for live “MNF” telecasts, a practice that would have enabled censors to step in. The procedure could come under scrutiny in the wake of the incident.
The goof immediately went into wide circulation on the Internet.
Here it is:
No FCC regulations, so hey…no harm no foul.
Again, how is this different than 99% of what we get all over the rest of the cable stations?
Besides, the football field (and the benches, and the seats, the bathrooms and the concession stands) are littered with this and other horrifying words, so do we really get to act stupefied when a broadcaster who is a former football player utters the same stuff?
No FCC regulations, so hey…no harm no foul.
Again, how is this different than 99% of what we get all over the rest of the cable stations?
Besides, the football field (and the benches, and the seats, the bathrooms and the concession stands) are littered with this and other horrifying words, so do we really get to act stupefied when a broadcaster who is a former football player utters the same stuff?
Yup. No legal issue here, maybe a lack of decorum if anything. This is a cable channel, not over-the-air broadcast. But then again, isn’t he just saying out loud what all the Dolphins were thinking anyway?
Why not write out the word, instead of resorting to cutesy little dodges? S–t? Rhymes with fit? Just write it out.
Shit.
Did the Republic fall? No, it didn’t.
Carry on.