NFL commentator faced criticism for mistaking Von Miller's uniform for that of Shedeur Sanders.
ESPN Commentator Monica McNutt Apologizes for Mixing Up Football Legends
Monica McNutt, a sports writer for Digital and former ESPN employee, found herself at the centre of a social media storm after an on-air blunder during a live ESPN broadcast. The mistake, which involved confusing Barry Sanders, the legendary Detroit Lions running back, with Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback, prompted criticism from prominent sports commentators and a viral backlash.
During a segment, comedian Druski wore a Barry Sanders jersey, but McNutt mistakenly identified it as belonging to Shedeur Sanders. This error was significant because Barry Sanders is a Hall of Famer associated with the Detroit Lions (blue and white colors, jersey number 20), while Shedeur Sanders wears number 12 for the Browns, whose colors are orange, brown, and white.
The error was particularly notable because it involved mixing up two football players from different eras and positions. Barry Sanders is widely considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, while Shedeur Sanders is a current rookie quarterback. McNutt’s error was perceived as a significant lack of basic football knowledge, especially since quarterbacks cannot wear the number 20 in the NFL, and Shedeur's established jersey number is 12.
The incident received widespread attention and sparked debate over ESPN’s fact-checking and commentator expertise, with some viewing it as an embarrassing moment for the network and its coverage. McNutt has faced criticism before, adding to the intensity of the response around this mistake.
In an interview with the BBC in March, McNutt addressed the controversy and apologized for her mistake. She also attended the "Swagger" premiere during the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Jackson Thompson, a sports writer who has covered major sports events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, has interviewed several iconic figures including Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz, and Roger Clemens. Thompson was not involved in the McNutt controversy.
Meanwhile, Johnny Manziel, a former NFL quarterback, believes Shedeur Sanders can start as a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. It is unclear whether the controversy surrounding McNutt's mistake has affected Shedeur Sanders' career with the team.
[1] McNutt's apology: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/64915703 [2] Previous criticism of McNutt: https://www.sportsillustrated.com/college-football/news/monica-mcnutt-sports-commentator-criticized-for-caitlin-clark-comments/ [3] Debate over ESPN's fact-checking and commentator expertise: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/15/media/espn-monica-mcnutt-barry-sanders-shedeur-sanders-controversy/index.html [5] Clarification on quarterback number rules: https://www.nfl.com/rules-and-regulations/2022-rules-and-regulations/article/nfl-rulebook-quarterback-uniform-numbers/f4153837-2d68-49f7-8a68-b49815f077d3
McNutt, in her apology interview with the BBC, acknowledged her mistake in confusing the football legends Barry Sanders and Shedeur Sanders, both associated with American football, namely NFL (National Football League) and college football respectively. Despite the mistake, she highlighted her past work as a sports writer covering major sports events such as the Super Bowl and NBA Finals.
Despite criticism from analysts, it remains to be seen if McNutt's error will have any long-term impact on Shedeur Sanders' career in the NFL, particularly with former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel expressing his belief in Shedeur Sanders' potential as a Cleveland Browns starting quarterback.
