Ah, the “Bills Mafia” was out in fine form on Saturday evening, giving some heat to NBC football broadcaster Cris Collinsworth.
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” crew, featuring Al Michaels on play-by-play, Collinsworth on color commentary, and Michelle Tafoya on the sidelines, rolled into Orchard Park, N.Y., for the Buffalo Bills’ AFC divisional-round game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Fans happened to hold up a sign with Collinsworth’s face on it and his oft-said phrase, “Now here’s a team…THAT’S GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL.” Another group of fans also gave Michaels and Tafoya some, um, love as well: “Now down to Michelle…AL, WHERE else would you rather be than RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.”
It was unclear whether or not these Bills fans had some pre-game liquid libation before entering the stadium. One thing is for sure, though. Buffalo Bills fans, known as the “Bills Mafia,” are out in full force on Saturday night.
Nevertheless, Collinsworth shared pictures of these two signs on Twitter and asked, “IS THIS A SIGN?”
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants Can’t Identify Cris Collinsworth
One would think everyone, especially people who become contestants on “Jeopardy!,” would know who Cris Collinsworth is as a former NFL player and longtime broadcaster.
Alas, no one could identify Collinsworth on a recent ‘Jeopardy!’ episode. Collinsworth spent eight seasons as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals before joining Al Michaels in the booth for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”
All in all, Collinsworth has spent the past 30-plus years in television media. However, no one on ‘Jeopardy!’ had a clue who he was.
In fairness to those on “Jeopardy!,” Collinsworth retired from the NFL after the 1988 season. With all of the young stars taking over the league today, many NFL fans find it difficult to remember the old geysers. While Collinsworth may not still have the fame he once did, his NBC contract makes it hard for him to complain.
With that said, NBC Sports has been in talks with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. When the future Hall of Famer retires, many folks expect him to join Al Michaels in the booth for “Sunday Night Football.” If this were the case, Brees would replace Collinsworth as the color commentator.
After a four-year college career with the University of Florida, the Bengals drafted Collinsworth in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He would remain with them for his entire career. Collinsworth made an immediate impact on the field, breaking the franchise record for receptions by a rookie.
Collinsworth would go on to exceed 1,000 yards receiving in four of his eight seasons, including his rookie season. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
