NBC announcer Mike Tirico was in mid-season form for the Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers.
Even though rookie quarterback Carson Beck played quite well (188 yards and a touchdown) for the Cardinals, it was Haynes King of the Panthers who stole the show. He completed 21-of-34 pass attempts for 180 yards with two touchdowns. The former Georgia Tech star also had the game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation.
With two seconds remaining in the game, King scrambled into open space and found the end zone to give the Panthers a 33-30 victory over the Cardinals.
Unsurprisingly, Tirico called this game-winning touchdown like it was a marquee play in the Super Bowl. Most fans appreciated his enthusiasm in the broadcast booth.
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"Good! I wish more announcers did that for preseason games and exhibition, games and summer league games in basketball to make it more exciting for the audience to watch. That’s their job," one fan wrote on X.
"At the end of the day, it’s entertainment. Was an entertaining ending. Let’s enjoy the fact that football is back," a second fan said.
"Let Tirico cook," a third fan declared.
"After the long wait, it’s what I needed to jumpstart the season. Most football fans share that excitement and energy," another fan commented.
Week 1 will be busy for Tirico.
NFL fans will get to hear Tirico on commentary on Sept. 9 for the season opener between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. That'll be a rematch of last season's Super Bowl.
Collinsworth and Tirico will also call a Week 1 showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. That NFC East matchup is set for Sept. 13.
We can't wait for the NFL season to begin.
