If you watched the Super Bowl on Sunday, then you’ll likely know exactly why Michael Barkann, a renowned analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia, was so upset about a certain call. With just under two minutes left in the game and Kansas City threatening to score, cornerback James Bradberry was penalized with a questionable “holding” call. This decision ultimately sealed the victory for the Chiefs and resulted in an emotional outburst from Barkann on live television. He cited that such a crucial decision should never be left up to officials, especially at this level of competition.
The ruling was immediately met with outrage due to its dubious nature. After all, it seemed that Bradberry had only lightly placed his hand on JuJu Smith-Schuster’s back while in coverage. The consensus among many is that this call was unjustified and that it should have been overturned upon further review, especially considering the magnitude of the moment. It really felt like someone had handed over an undeserved championship trophy to Kansas City Chiefs and robbed Eagles fans of a chance at witnessing their team win it all.
Barkann made some valid points when delivering his rant on television. He said,
“And then they get to a third-and-eight on the 15-yard line, and an incomplete pass! And Carl Cheffers’ team with a bulls**t call. I mean utter and complete bulls**t,” Barkann ranted. “It’s unbelievable. It’s inexcusable. You don’t make a call then and there! You don’t let the game be decided by the officiating.”
“And yes it’s true. The officials go both ways. And you’ve got to rise above it. I understand. This is the freakin’ Super Bowl! And that should never happen.”
It needed to be said.
Thank you, @MBarkannNBCS!
“Utter complete bullshit” – Michael Barkann pic.twitter.com/AOaoQAl1dI
— DIE-HARD 🦅 Fans (@Eaglesfans9) February 13, 2023
As unfortunate as this situation was, it serves as a reminder to everyone involved in professional sports, players, coaches, referees, that mistakes happen in a split second but can have long-lasting repercussions if not addressed properly.
