Monday, February 04, 2002
Summerall calls last Super Bowl
Super Bowl notes
Enquirer news services
NEW ORLEANS — On the first big play of the Super Bowl, it was undeniably clear why Pat Summerall became the quintessential play-by-play man — and why his time as Fox's lead NFL announcer was up.
“Picked off,” Summerall intoned midway through the second quarter of his last game alongside boothmate John Madden. “Ty Law down the sideline. ... Touchdown. ... What the Patriots were waiting for.”
Sparse, exciting, perfect: just 14 words to tell viewers everything they needed to know.
Unfortunately, in the next breath, Summerall added: “The rush by (Willie) McGinest is what caused it.”
Actually, it was linebacker Mike Vrabel pressuring Rams quarterback Kurt Warner on the play, as Madden noted when a replay was shown immediately.
This season was the last on Summerall's Fox contract. He announced Jan. 22 that this Super Bowl would be his final telecast with Madden, ending a 21-year partnership that started at CBS and evolved into the signature sound for pro football on TV. Summerall left open the possibility he will work with another partner at Fox or for another network.
Fox's broadcast of the New England Patriots' 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams was the announcing pair's eighth Super Bowl together.
And once again, Summerall and Madden — who moved to Fox in 1994 — reprised the roles millions of viewers have heard on Sunday after Sunday: Summerall providing the short, steady stream to Madden's babbling brook.
Right to the end, Madden filled the air with his insights and opinions, including insisting the Patriots should run out the clock and head to overtime instead of trying to get into position for what turned out to be Adam Vinatieri's winning 48-yard field goal.
It's a good thing for Summerall he didn't get paid by the word — and a good thing for Fox that Madden doesn't.
A typical exchange, and the one real in-game acknowledgment of the 71-year-old Summerall's swan song:
Madden: “Well, as we start our fourth quarter, Pat, it's our last fourth quarter together, and I just want to say thanks for all the memories of a lot of great quarters.”
Summerall: “They have really been terrific.”
Madden: “Twenty-one years. Then you multiply all those years by all those games. Then you multiply that by all those quarters. It's been very, very special, and you've made it very special.”
Summerall: “So have you, and I appreciate it.”
In addition to the Vrabel-McGinest mistake, Summerall had some minor slip-ups — missing a snap to the Patriots' up-back in the third quarter, referring to Warner as “Faulk” on one play — but nothing out of the ordinary on a live broadcast.
Otherwise, he was right on the mark throughout, repeatedly teeing it up with comments that cued Madden for adroit analysis.
And while Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders to victory in the 1977 Super Bowl, is the one known for his sense of humor and outlandish comments, Summerall came through with their best one-liner Sunday.
At the end of the first half, Fox went to a shot of U.S. troops watching the game in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Fox's reporter said, “They want to see the winning team right here in Afghanistan. And, at the very least, bring the cheerleaders, right?”
After a seemingly awkward pause and chuckle, Summerall flashed textbook comedic timing, saying, “What a wholesome thought.”
Summerall's generally understated manner was contrasted just a few minutes later during the halftime break by Fox studio analyst Terry Bradshaw's buffoonery.
COHEN OUT:
Rams linebacker Dustin Cohen, who played at Summit Country Day and Miami University, was one of seven players deactivated Sunday for the Super Bowl.
Cohen had played on special teams in the Rams' NFC Championship Game victory over Philadelphia. Cohen would have been the first former Miami player to see action in the Super Bowl.
JONES STARTS:
Former Bengals tackle Rod Jones started at right tackle ahead of regular Ryan Tucker, but suffered a groin injury and was replaced by Tucker at the end of the first quarter.
— Mark Curnutte
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