It was a rough season for Greg Gumbel. The veteran play-by-play man was on the call for numerous Steelers games, and made a litany of embarrassing mistakes: mixing up Mitch Trubisky and Sam Darnold; misjudging plays on the field; failing to follow the action.
With that track record, it should come as little surprise that Gumbel put in another rough performance Sunday. The 76-year-old broadcaster didn’t seem all that interested in the action, even though the Steelers were playing for their postseason lives.
The lowest point for Gumbel came early in the second quarter, when Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett found tight end David Njoku for a touchdown. Though Njoku clearly passed the pylon and got into the end zone, Gumbel reacted as if it was just a run-of-the-mill play.
“Brissett still with the ball … now throws … inside the five … to the end zone. Njoku,” he said with a level of enthusiasm that indicated he wasn’t even aware the Browns had scored.
I mean, people recite takeout orders with more gusto.
Gumbel’s partner, Adam Archuleta, also stoked the ire of Browns fans multiple times Sunday. At one point, the ex-safety let out an audible groan when Gumbel announced the Dolphins had pulled ahead of the Jets, sullying Pittsburgh’s playoff chances.
After starting 2-6, the Steelers clawed their way back and once again finished with a winning record. But alas, their triumph were often narrated by CBS’ C- and D-teams.
We’ll know Kenny Pickett has officially arrived when Jim Nantz or Ian Eagle come to Acrisure Stadium. Until then, here’s hoping Gumbel picks up the excitement level, just a little bit.