I know it’s been a while since the Washington Commanders were relevant on a national level. But with Jayden Daniels’ ascendance, it’s probably time to start getting used to the Commanders being a must-watch. That also means broadcasters who have likely seldom announced their games over the years need to be on their P’s and Q’s more than ever with, ahem, you know.
Enter Tony Romo, the decidedly WRONG person for that job.
As the Commanders battled the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon, Romo let out a reference to Washington’s old racist nickname while breaking down a Lamar Jackson pass play. Not only did Romo NOT correct himself — which makes an unacceptable mistake even worse — but Jim Nantz seemingly didn’t even acknowledge the faux pas.
Instead, there was an awkward silence as Romo kinda just continued talking after a brief pause. (Warning: Racist language used in the clip below.)
Jim Nantz wasn't gonna touch Tony Romo's reference to the Washington Commanders' old name. pic.twitter.com/s2drRovS1l
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 13, 2024
If you’re an NFL broadcaster in 2024 calling a Commanders game, it is a prerequisite to calling them the correct nickname and never, ever reference their old racist nickname.
Leave it to Tony Romo to make this highly inappropriate and unprofessional mistake in front of the country.