Mike Goldberg has been removed from the NFL on FOX booth for this week’s Minnesota Vikings game at Buffalo on Sunday.
Goldberg, who was heavily criticized after repeated mistakes during his announcing of the Vikings-Detroit Lions game last Sunday, unleashed a round of harsh tweets at a few fans who were critical of his performance.
The Buffalo Bills and FOX announced the change on Tuesday.
This weeks #MINvsBUF @NFLonFOX crew:
Play-by-play: @TimBrando
Analyst: Brendon Ayanbadejo (@brendon310)
Sideline: Peter Schrager (@PSchrags)— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) October 14, 2014
Sunday was Goldberg’s NFL on FOX debut. He made several mistakes, from confusing players and coaches to missing downs and distance. One particular mistake was outlined by Pro Football Talk on Monday.
“One mistake was particularly telling: Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw a pass to receiver Greg Jennings, and Goldberg at first said the intended receiver was Golden Tate. Obviously, Tate was not the intended receiver as Tate plays for the Lions. Jennings and Tate both wear No. 15, which suggests that Goldberg saw a player in a No. 15 jersey, looked down at a roster in front of him, and called the name of the wrong No. 15. It’s easy to understand how that mistake was made, but hard to understand why Goldberg needs a roster to identify players like Jennings and Tate, who are their teams’ leading receivers. A well-prepared announcer should know prominent players like Jennings and Tate without having to look up their jersey numbers.”
According to Pro Football Talk, FOX probably would have forgiven the mistakes if it hadn’t been for Goldberg’s profane tirade on Twitter.
Goldberg has been a long time commentator for Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mike Goldberg is done with NFL on Fox. Fox PR hasn't answered my repeated questions about whether his status for UFC on FOX has changed.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 14, 2014
He has also called hockey games on television for several NHL teams including the Minnesota Wild.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Goldberg apologized for his “momentary lapse of reason” on Sunday night.
I just want to apologize to everyone at FOX and elsewhere for my momentary lapse of reason Sunday night
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) October 14, 2014
I let some mean-spirited folks on twitter get to me and I should have had thicker skin instead of reacting so quickly and emotionally
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) October 14, 2014
I don't want to be a distraction on the upcoming broadcast Sunday, so we mutually agreed that it would be best to sit this next one out
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) October 14, 2014
I'm not happy about it personally but, professionally, it's the right thing to do after my mistake
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) October 14, 2014
Thank you to FOX and to others who have been so great to me and understanding
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) October 14, 2014
