Joe Buck Had Twitter Buzzing After Very Enthusiastic ‘Monday Night Football’ Open

Also in Traina Thoughts: Mark Ingram’s surreal blunder; SI Cover Jinx strikes again; NFL scheduling changes and more.

1. Sports fans seem to pay very close attention to anything Joe Buck does these days. The voice of Monday Night Football (and recent SI Media Podcast guest) always trends when he calls a game, but Monday, Buck didn’t draw attention for his play-by-play work. This time, it was Buck’s intro to the Saints-Bucs game on ESPN that caught fans’ attention.

Buck sounded hyped—very hyped—to be calling a 5–6 vs. 4–8 matchup.

As we saw the scene outside the stadium, Buck said, “The weather is beautiful in Tampa, Florida. It’s Week 13. Good matchup in the NFC South. It’s DECEMBER! Can you believe it? Already December. Bucs and Saints, coming up!”

After that, the camera cut to Tom Brady running on the field, and Buck got very excited at the sight of the GOAT, who launched his trademark pregame “LET’S F---ING GO!” rally cry.

“There he is. All eyes on 12. He’s ready to go. Look. He’s gonna prove it. YEAH! Let’s go. I can’t say one of those words. Mike Evans, what’s going on with that combo with Tom Brady? They better figure that out here down the stretch. There he is, the Red Rifle. Got that beard all tucked into that chin strap ready to go. Tenth consecutive start for the Saints.”

Yes, Buck was so fired up for the game he even got excited at the sight of Andy Dalton.

Buck’s performance quickly became fodder for Twitter, which had some fun opining about what had gotten into the legendary play-by-play caller.

Obviously, it’s beyond preposterous for anyone to think Buck would imbibe before a game, but it was fun to see the array of substances people thought could be responsible for Buck’s enthusiasm.

Joe Buck gotta be drunk pic.twitter.com/WDJz5PlKiP

— sports announcers with no context (@nocontxtanncr) December 6, 2022

Joe Buck sounds like he just took a couple shots of fireball he’s ready to go tonight! 😂

— Tony Hogan (@tony_hogan) December 6, 2022

Joe Buck has either gotten orders from above to be more energetic in his calls or he has a contact with Aaron Rodgers to acquire psychedelic drugs.

— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) December 6, 2022

This the most enthusiastic Joe Buck has ever sounded. And I’m absolutely here for it please keep this version of Joe buck coming https://t.co/pjFnytIyy5

— sam hubbard enthusiast (vince) (@qsmartreviewer) December 6, 2022

Joe Buck downed an entire bottle of Henny before he went on air

— Hometahn Pierogi (@TomlinGottaGo) December 6, 2022

I get wanting to quell the nerves, but Joe Buck clearly took a few too many shots pre-game. https://t.co/MUoG3g8bEk

— Carson Arnold (@carsonarnold_) December 6, 2022

Joe Buck said he drinks a beer before every game to remind himself he's just a normal guy. I think he drank more than one tonight. https://t.co/oVRvTwsgbR

— Sam Householder (@SamHouseholder) December 6, 2022

I love this version of Joe Buck 😂😂 https://t.co/lLHS1RFp0B

— Shukri Wrights (@ShukriWrights) December 6, 2022

Whatever Joe buck was on, I want some lol. Great commentary tonight https://t.co/w4UJs0vNwR

— Jovani Ruiz (@ruiz_jovani) December 6, 2022

lmaooo this is the joe buck we need https://t.co/eav3ioDPHT

— Brenda J (@BrendaJWebber) December 6, 2022

I’ve been watching Joe Buck for years and I have never heard him talk like this 😂 https://t.co/dqujjK9vcp

— Curt (@curtiss_brown21) December 6, 2022

Joe Buck had to pregame for this one 😂 https://t.co/1uqnI2GNrZ

— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) December 6, 2022

Joe buck is me at corporate events making small talk https://t.co/Yv1iOgAXHV

— David Rodriguez (@davidrod70) December 6, 2022

If all these people listened to the SI Media Podcast, they’d know that Buck is thrilled to be calling Monday Night Football and is having a blast this season, so this excitement was all natural.

2. Saints running back had a shocking blunder that helped his team choke away a late 16–3 lead to the Bucs on Monday when he ran out of bounds instead of finishing a run for a first down.

Mark Ingram sold the game by doing this https://t.co/IP0kOgOiDj

— alex (@highlightheaven) December 6, 2022

After his team’s 17–16 loss, Ingram apologized via Twitter.

Im sick about this one. Regardless of circumstances or how I feel I have to get that fresh set of downs for the squad. I apologize to my teammates my coaches and my city for a crucial mistake. We work way too hard and sacrifice blood sweat and tears. I will be better. ⚜️🖤

— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) December 6, 2022

3. The Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx remains real. This morning, it was announced that Stephen Curry is SI’s Sportsperson of the Year.

Curry knew the announcement was coming today and ended up having his worst game of the season last night in Golden State’s 112–104 loss to Indiana.

4. The NFL announced the slate of games that will take place on the Saturday (Dec. 17) of Week 15. 

1:00 p.m. ET: Colts vs. Vikings
4:30 p.m. ET: Ravens vs. Browns
8:15 p.m. ET: Dolphins vs. Bills

All games will air on the NFL Network. If anyone from the NFL Network is reading this, may I suggest letting the Good Morning Football crew of Kyle Brandt, Peter Schrager, Jason McCourty and Jamie Erdahl call one of the games?

Also of note for Week 15, Giants at Commanders has been flexed into the Sunday-night game on NBC with Raiders-Patriots getting bumped to 1 p.m.

5. Giannis is ready for an amazing birthday.

Giannis hilariously talks about what might happen on his birthday tomorrow.

"Maybe a birthday cake, a card, or watch...After I put my kids to bed, you never know what could happen. It might get a little bit freaky." 🤣

(Via @ByTimReynolds) pic.twitter.com/JMWHuSHKIB

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 6, 2022

6. This week's SI Media Podcast features a conversation with the voice of Sunday Night Football on NBC, Mike Tirico.

Tirico, who took over the role from Al Michaels this year, talks about how closely he pays attention to NBC's flex scheduling options, what goes into flexing a game and the logistics of flexing. Tirico also shares how he watches games every Sunday, the difference between doing Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football, his stance on referencing point spreads and over/unders during games and much more.

Following Tirico, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week, Jimmy talks about Jim Nantz’s mentioning his name during the Bills-Lions telecast on Thanksgiving, the sad state of Charles Barkley’s friendship with Michael Jordan, Spotify Unwrapped and more.

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.

You can also watch the SI Media Podcast on YouTube.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Kirstie Alley, who passed away Monday at 71, is best known for playing Rebecca on Cheers. But before she was an actress, Alley was a contestant on one of the greatest game shows ever, Match Game.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.