Mistakes are an inevitable part of live sports commentary, as demonstrated by a humorous incident involving Gene Steratore during the NCAA Tournament. On a recent Saturday, Steratore, a seasoned analyst known for his work with CBS on both college football and basketball games, found himself inadvertently referencing the wrong sport. In the closing moments of the match between Michigan and Texas A&M, a play under review for potential basket interference led to a slip of the tongue that amused fans across social media platforms.
Steratore's error occurred while analyzing a dunk attempt by Michigan’s team. As the commentators awaited the decision from officials reviewing whether offensive goaltending had taken place, Steratore momentarily forgot he was discussing basketball instead of football. His comment about the "percentage of that football" being over the cylinder drew immediate attention from viewers who were quick to share their amusement online. Despite this momentary lapse, the call was ultimately correct, but not before providing material for countless tweets and posts.
Although such errors might seem embarrassing, they serve as reminders of the human element present in all aspects of sports broadcasting. Fans took it in stride, appreciating the humor without letting it overshadow the game itself. In fact, Michigan still triumphed convincingly against Texas A&M, ensuring that Steratore's mix-up became more of a footnote than a defining moment. This incident underscores the importance of grace and humor when dealing with mistakes, reinforcing the idea that even experts can have off moments which bring us closer together through shared laughter.