Dan Le Batard Calls Out Troy Aikman for Repetitive Commentary
The podcast host pointed out a pattern of phrases used by the "Monday Night Football" announcer during a recent game.
Dan Le Batard has highlighted what he described as repetitive commentary from ESPN announcer Troy Aikman during a recent "Monday Night Football" broadcast between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. Le Batard, a former ESPN personality who now hosts a popular podcast, noted a pattern of specific phrases used by Aikman throughout the first half of the game.
Le Batard compiled a series of quotes attributed to Aikman, emphasizing the recurring use of the phrase "in football." Examples included: "The Denver roster is as deep as any in football"; "[Andy] Reid understands as much as anyone in football that they’ve gotta run the football"; "Pat Bryant had as good a camp as anyone in football"; "Denver has as deep a wide receiver room as anyone in football"; and "Denver has as good a secondary as there is in all of football." He continued to list more instances, such as "Trent McDuffie is as good as anyone in all of football," "Denver is as good as any defense in football," and "Denver plays as much man as anyone in football."
Further examples cited by Le Batard included: "Kenneth Walker is as patient as anyone in football"; "Riley Moss gets targeted as much as anyone in football"; "Denver is as good an offensive line as there is in football"; "Vance Joseph is as good a defensive coordinator as there is in all of football"; "Sean Payton is as good a play-caller as there is in all of football"; and "Courtland Sutton is as good as anyone in football winning one-on-one."
Le Batard expressed his disbelief upon rewatching the game, stating, "I went back and wrote it. I didn’t believe it. I’m like, that can’t be how I’m hearing this. I’m listening passively… like, am I hearing this right?"
Commentators frequently face scrutiny for their on-air remarks. Le Batard's observation comes amid ongoing discussions about broadcasting styles, including criticism directed at NBC's Cris Collinsworth for what some perceive as an excessive focus on Patrick Mahomes. Aikman and his broadcast partner Joe Buck have worked together for many years, originally on Fox Sports and now on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" since 2022. They are scheduled to call the Giants at Rams game in Week 2.