Sean McDonough didn't shy away from criticizing NFL referees during "Monday Night Football" when they screwed up. His replacement, Joe Tessitore, says he won't be following suit.
In a conference call Thursday, Tessitore said he wants the broadcast to emanate positivity. "I'm big into no complaining," he explained to reporters, per the New York Post. "I want a joyful broadcast that centers on celebrating the game and these athletes and the action. I don't think anybody tunes in to watch a football game to complain about officiating. That's just me, though."
ESPN revamped its MNF team this year after Jon Gruden left to coach the Raiders for $10 million per year. Ex-Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will serve as Tessitore's color commentator in the booth, and former LSU standout Booger McFarland will be the on-field analyst. Lisa Salters will handle sideline reporting.
McDonough's candor is one of his most distinguishable qualities. Unlike other play-by-play men, he does not carry himself like a cheerleader. But that may have led to his undoing. NFL officials reportedly weren't fans of his work.
In an interview with "Kirk & Callahan" earlier this year, McDonough, who acknowledged MNF's lackluster schedule and admitted he didn't enjoy calling the games, said he was told the NFL's opposition to his candor didn't factor into the decision to move him back to college football.
"I know there are people within the NFL who probably wish I talked less about the officiating, or whatever it was that rankled them. I was assured by people at ESPN as they were considering a reboot that that wasn't really an issue," he said. "I'd like to think ESPN would ignore that. When you pay the league $2 billion per year, you ought to be able to pick who your own announcers are."
