Renowned sports commentator Joe Buck has recently reflected on one of the most controversial calls of his career—the commentary he provided for Randy Moss’ notorious “mooning” touchdown celebration during an NFC Wild Card Round game almost two decades ago. While Buck does not express regret for his choice of words, he now admits that his commentary may have been “a little over the top.”
Key Takeaway
Joe Buck, the sports commentator known for his controversial call of Randy Moss’ “mooning” touchdown celebration, admits his commentary may have been excessive. While not expressing regret, Buck acknowledges that the call was “over the top” and that he would handle a similar incident differently in today’s sports broadcasting environment.
Looking Back on the Controversial Call
In a recent interview with the Minnesota Vikings podcast “Purple Daily,” Buck opened up about the infamous call and revealed that listening to it now brings a sense of surprise. He stated, “I hear that back and it kind of gives me a little bit of a jolt because I’m like, ‘Man, I can’t believe that’s what came out of my mouth.’ But I have to live with that.”
Although Buck does not explicitly express regret, he acknowledges that the commentary may have been excessive given the circumstances. He said, “I’m not saying that I regret it, but it feels a little over the top.”
A Different Approach in Today’s Environment
Buck also acknowledged that if the same incident were to occur in a more recent game, he would handle it differently. Reflecting on the shifting landscape and evolving standards of sports broadcasting, he stated, “If it were today, I think in a different atmosphere, I don’t think those words would have come out of my mouth.”
It is worth noting that the call sparked considerable controversy among Vikings fans, particularly considering Moss’ explanation for the celebration. Moss revealed that it was meant as a response to being subjected to mooning by Green Bay fans earlier in the week.
A Friendship Beyond the Controversy
Despite the lingering dismay among Minnesota fans, Buck emphasized that he and Randy Moss have put the incident behind them and have developed a strong bond. In fact, Buck stated that they are now “really good friends.”
Addressing Moss’ feelings towards the event, Buck remarked, “I don’t think Randy cares about it, so I guess I’ll just move on and hopefully everybody else can too.”
