ESPN announcer Joe Buck is anticipating a significant personal conflict as he prepares to call Super Bowl LXI in February, the network's first-ever broadcast of the championship game. Buck revealed that his eldest daughter, Natalie, is expected to give birth on Super Bowl Sunday.
"My daughter Natalie is due on Super Bowl Sunday," Buck told sports media reporter Jimmy Traina on The Traina Thoughts Podcast. "Jack Buck's son, the little boy that was doing the World Series in 1996, his daughter is due on Super Bowl Sunday, yes."
Buck, 57, who is father to Natalie and another adult daughter, Trudy, from a previous marriage, is set to become a grandfather for the first time. He also has twin eight-year-old sons, Wyatt and Blake, with his wife, ESPN reporter Michelle Beisner.
With the impending arrival, Buck described the countdown to the game with a new perspective. "Every countdown clock that I see at ESPN, while everyone else was going 'Man, we got Super Bowl LXI!' That's my countdown clock to being a grandpa."
Buck stated that he will attend the Super Bowl in Los Angeles even if his daughter gives birth before the due date, as his presence would not be medically necessary for the delivery. However, he acknowledged the emotional pull, saying, "I will not be distracted, but I will have part of my heart in New York waiting to hear the news."
He added that he would be there the day after the game to be with his family. This situation is not unprecedented for Buck; his second daughter was due during the 1999 MLB All-Star Game.
