September 19, 2006

USC complains Musburger gave away team sign: Southern California formally complained that ABC-TV's Brent Musburger revealed privileged information in play-by-play commentary during Saturday's game against Nebraska.

posted by lex2000 to football at 05:01 PM - 33 comments

Granted, this is something Musburger probably should not have done, but does anyone think giving that bit of info out would really have a dramatic effect on the game?

posted by lex2000 at 05:04 PM on September 19, 2006

I think the secret was given away the moment John David, you know, said it in public in front of a bunch of people. If you're going to be pissed off at somebody, oh USC, be pissed off at your QB.

posted by Joey Michaels at 06:03 PM on September 19, 2006

Musburger is a douche bag and egotist. Always has been, always will be. Who would expect less from him. He sucks as a broadcaster as well. He actually believes that people watch the games to hear him instead of watching the sport.

posted by urall cloolis at 07:24 PM on September 19, 2006

What Joey said. How is giving the exact sign deep background? Why not just say there's a hand signal involved? Also, I have a feeling this might not be impossible to change up mid-season. uc, don't let that stop you from going over over the top. Like Stallone. A second time.

posted by yerfatma at 07:51 PM on September 19, 2006

hey it was a mental mistake. It's not like it had National Championship implications or anything.

posted by thatch at 10:00 PM on September 19, 2006

TRUE STORY: When I was 12 or 13, I attended a playoff Bullets-Hawks game with two friends and one parent. When the game was over a friend and myself went to get Elvin Hayes' autograph. He complied and was a great guy- thanked us for coming to the game, etc.... Our other friend saw the huge gathering around the Big E and since we were sitting behind the broadcasters area, he opted to get Brent Musburgers autograph (still dont know why he would want it). The Big Muss told him he didnt have the time for autographs. When we came back with the autographs of The Big E, our friend went back to Fagburger and asked him once more for an autograph, telling him that his friends just got Hayes' autograph. Crapburgers reply was "I have more fans than Hayes and Unseld put together, scram kid"....what an ass. Apparantly he is still a scumbag.

posted by urall cloolis at 10:39 PM on September 19, 2006

so what, who cares, a reciever one on one is probably obvious to more than that genius backup, I mean starter qb of USC's.....its not like he was a booth reviewer for the pac 10 handing wins out

posted by sgtcookzane at 10:42 PM on September 19, 2006

Someone sounds a bit bitter about the ass whoopin the mighty Trojans put on the Swooners a couple years ago. speaking of which, what is Jason White up to these days? Selling insurance or real estate perhaps? He may not win the Heisman, but I bet Booty makes it into the NFL. Cry me a river...

posted by urall cloolis at 10:49 PM on September 19, 2006

I want to make it clear that I do think Musburger comes across as a dickhead, but I still don't think he really did anything worth complaining about at this particular time.

posted by Joey Michaels at 12:52 AM on September 20, 2006

This is a complete non-issue. If they are dumb enough to use the same signals for every game then I am sure the average high school coach could figure it out after a few minutes of film review. Pete Carrol even said he was not concerned as there are many ways to give signals. As for the glorious Mr. Musburger, I had the priviledge of meeting him a few years back. I would put him in an elite group with Reggie Jackson and Dick Vitale when they are "off camera".

posted by BSUJIM at 03:26 AM on September 20, 2006

Think Ohio State is writing a letter to ESPN.com for giving away Troy Smith pats his head to show he realizes there's one-on-one coverage?

posted by SummersEve at 04:03 AM on September 20, 2006

Brent Musburger may be an egotistical ass bag but I really don't think he did anything wrong. It's not like this is some top secret CIA ops that was being passes about and look who just found it, Brent Musburger. USC still won the game so who really cares?

posted by BornIcon at 05:31 AM on September 20, 2006

Someone sounds a bit bitter about the ass whoopin the mighty Trojans put on the Swooners a couple years ago As opposed to you and the autograph you didn't get from some second-rate celebrity?

posted by yerfatma at 06:06 AM on September 20, 2006

i agree that it should not be an issue, just stating that musburger was an ass to the one kid who tried to meet him that day. as for the autograph- i was not the one seeking it. i still cant figure out why the kid wanted to meet musburger instead of elvin hayes. i appreciate the thought though and hope you are doing well yerfat.

posted by urall cloolis at 06:30 AM on September 20, 2006

Good time to re-visit this classic, the Brent Musberger Drinking Game.

posted by SummersEve at 06:43 AM on September 20, 2006

Good time to re-visit this classic... I guess I must live in a cave somewhere (come to think of it, NH does qualify in a way), but I had never heard of this. After I read the rules, and pulled myself up off the floor, I resolved that I would never miss a moment of a Brent Musberger broadcast. SummersEve, why did you do this to me???

posted by Howard_T at 09:11 AM on September 20, 2006

Sorry... Pardner.

posted by SummersEve at 09:28 AM on September 20, 2006

urall cloolis is really, really trying to derail this thread. Please, keep it about whatever happened on Saturday. Writing about your childhood traumas is what blogs are for.

posted by chicobangs at 09:53 AM on September 20, 2006

Ugh. Each season, I progressively ponder the fact that SpoFi should just disallow any and all NCAA Football discussions. It's simply not worth it.

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:35 PM on September 20, 2006

And it's college sports. The irony.

posted by justgary at 12:09 AM on September 21, 2006

Brent Musberger stole my prom date!

posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:47 AM on September 21, 2006

Was he cute?

posted by yerfatma at 07:57 AM on September 21, 2006

I heard Musberger was Greg Maddux's right-hand man, too. Drove the getaway car and everything. Then he ratted him out to the Feds, and only Maddux's inherent criminal-genius mind (and connections to the South American underground) kept him out of the big house. (Maddux's next scheduled appearance is next Tuesday at Colorado.)

posted by chicobangs at 10:27 AM on September 21, 2006

Please, keep it about whatever happened on Saturday. posted by chicobangs at 9:53 AM CDT on September 20 I guess you are special and the rules only apply to me, ey?

posted by urall cloolis at 11:41 AM on September 21, 2006

While what Musburger did was really no big deal in the scheme of things, He is one of the worst announcers in the history of televised sports (Hello Chris Schenkel). And I have it on good authority from Sony that he is the inspiration for the mute button

posted by cjets at 12:14 PM on September 21, 2006

Ten years ago when Miami was the collegete powerhouse to beat, Musberger began referring to them as the "Caines" because he was so cool, he couldn't call them the Hurricanes!! Suprised he didn't call last week's game between the Troj's and the Corn's.....................

posted by Tigger1 at 12:28 PM on September 21, 2006

Are you seriously saying that nobody ever referred to the University of Miami football team as "the 'Canes" before Brent Musberger? 'Cause if that's what you're saying, you're so wrong it's ridiculous.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:37 PM on September 21, 2006

Gee, I don't see where I stated that Musberger was the 1st person to ever use the "Caines" as the team name..... But then again you referred to yourself in your personal profile as "Be kinda weird if I was a girl named Thomas" so I guess an attorney your not. Oh well!

posted by Tigger1 at 01:51 PM on September 21, 2006

Let me explain this to you: There's a space in the profile for your name...mine says, "Thomas;" There's also a space in the profile for your gender...mine says, "Be kinda weird if I was a girl named Thomas..." You see, the whole thing revolves around the fact that you don't meet many females named Thomas, and that it would indeed be "kinda weird" if I were a female with my masculine name. Hope that clears things up for you. How my choice of professions enters into this is beyond me, but obviously makes sense in your world. The wording of your earlier post did make it sound to me like you were inferring that Musberger started the 'Canes references. If I misunderstood it, well, I'm sure you'll get over it.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 03:52 PM on September 21, 2006

TBH, no real point in responding to a stupid, senseless attack like that. You can't win.

posted by bperk at 04:28 PM on September 21, 2006

bperk, I usually realize that after the second round. I'm working on it, really I am. No, really!

posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:04 PM on September 22, 2006

You would realize it sooner if you were a lawyer, psychologist, or accountant. At least, I think you would.

posted by bperk at 04:53 PM on September 22, 2006

bperk, TBH: First of all I am an accountant! Second, the reference to your profession not being an atty meant that if you were, you would be literate and be able to read and understand what I wrote.

posted by Tigger1 at 02:18 PM on September 26, 2006

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