Nov. 8, 1981 - Costas and Trumpy go rogue

[Evan]

I remember watching the Jets blow out the Colts on NBC on Nov. 8, 1981, and during some point in the game Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy completely abandoned calling the action in order to debate whether Richard Todd was justified in assaulting reporter Steve Serby.

It was the only time I can remember ever seeing two announcers go rogue in that regard, disregarding any of the football on the field of an admittedly putrid game. I've only found a few articles to jog my memory of this, which in my mind went on for about 10 minutes of real time between Costas and Trumpy and contained very spirited and emotional debate worthy of a courtroom.

Does anybody recall or have researched any more on this? I'd love to find a video or transcript of this, but I don't know of any.

[Rupert Patrick]

I remember watching the Jets blow out the Colts on NBC on Nov. 8, 1981, and during some point in the game Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy completely abandoned calling the action in order to debate whether Richard Todd was justified in assaulting reporter Steve Serby.

It was the only time I can remember ever seeing two announcers go rogue in that regard, disregarding any of the football on the field of an admittedly putrid game. I've only found a few articles to jog my memory of this, which in my mind went on for about 10 minutes of real time between Costas and Trumpy and contained very spirited and emotional debate worthy of a courtroom.

Does anybody recall or have researched any more on this? I'd love to find a video or transcript of this, but I don't know of any.

As luck would have it, this game does not seem to be available in trading groups, so my sources tell me. There was nothing on the youtube about this either. I have never heard of this but would like to see this. I can't imagine NBC could have been too happy with this, but Costas didn't last very long as an NFL broadcaster, as his talents were more as a studio host.

[BD Sullivan]

Actually, NBC had no real problems with it. One story about the dustup said that NBC had no plans to restrict their announcers. Trumpy (for the most part) had taken Todd's side, while Costas took Serby's side.

[Evan]

Thanks Rupert and BD! One account I read indicated that Costas and Trumpy even resumed their debate after a commercial break, which I think is odd in that is usually a natural time to wrap things up and get back to the game.

[JuggernautJ]

Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden went a little rouge themselves tonight.

They pointed out that tonight's MNF officiating crew called the second most penalties in the league and that they had called back two long touchdowns on two very (very) questionable holding calls.*
McDonough even went so far as to say something like "People don't want to see penalties. People do enjoy seeing long touchdown plays."

Further, for such an over-officiated game the referees did not seem to have control of the proceedings.
The (needless and/or unsportsmanlike) injuries from this game could have ramifications for the NFL in the future.

Both announcers also did a good job on calling out the illegal and devastating hits from both sides.
Although I do not always agree with the rules they were, by the rules, illegal.

And I can't mention this "Body-bag" game without saying I hope all involved are, ultimately, well.
I fear, however, that that will not be the case.

*The second penalty almost makes me wonder if it was a "make-up" call in an attempt to compensate for the first egregious call.

[sheajets]

Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden went a little rouge themselves tonight.

They pointed out that tonight's MNF officiating crew called the second most penalties in the league and that they had called back two long touchdowns on two very (very) questionable holding calls.*
McDonough even went so far as to say something like "People don't want to see penalties. People do enjoy seeing long touchdown plays."

Further, for such an over-officiated game the referees did not seem to have control of the proceedings.
The (needless and/or unsportsmanlike) injuries from this game could have ramifications for the NFL in the future.

Both announcers also did a good job on calling out the illegal and devastating hits from both sides.
Although I do not always agree with the rules they were, by the rules, illegal.

And I can't mention this "Body-bag" game without saying I hope all involved are, ultimately, well.
I fear, however, that that will not be the case.

*The second penalty almost makes me wonder if it was a "make-up" call in an attempt to compensate for the first egregious call.

And they were right to do so. This has been building up for a long time already. And I wonder if this has something to do with the NFL's desire to eliminate kickoffs entirely.

Maybe if we throw a flag on EVERY kickoff people will get fed up and once we get rid of it, most won't care or will be relieved.

No doubt every crew has been instructed to be super vigilant watching for even the smallest infractions on kickoffs.

A lot of the hits in that game were already banned but the two franchises hate each other and this was an instance things got out of control. The NFL has tried most everything but you still see the devastating helmet to helmet, or shoulder to helmet "targeting" hits. I just think it's the gladiator mindset. Plus to them a fine + 15 yards is a-ok if you can knock a star player out for several weeks. There are other instances where the hit is going to be clean but at the last second somebody moves slightly and it ends up appearing dirty when there was never any intent to injure. Things happen so fast in this league.

One thing I don't want to see anymore is guys standing over and taunting injured players.