Troy Aikman called it like he saw it — and what he saw wasn’t pretty.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer and color analyst aired his grievances over incessant penalty calls during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast of the Denver Broncos’ 28-3 blowout victory over the depleted Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
The Bengals kicked off the scoring with a field goal in their opening drive, but things got ugly when the Broncos jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead.
Already a one-sided affair, the game continued to drag with yellow flags being tossed at nearly every turn.
Midway through the third quarter, Broncos offensive lineman Alex Palczewski was rung up for an illegal blindside block, the game’s 22nd penalty.
ESPN’s rules specialist Russell Yurk believed it to be the right call — but Aikman couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m not going to keep my mouth shut,” he said sarcastically to broadcast partner Joe Buck.
“That’s a good call. Just not a necessary call … Nothing brings a broadcast to a screeching halt more than these yellow flags.”
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The longtime broadcast duo continued to banter about the officiating, trying to make sense of the “clinic” they were watching on the field.
Buck quipped that it may have been affected by the moon cycle.
Then, another flag was thrown on the very next play when Denver center Luke Wattenberg was ruled to be an ineligible man downfield.
“The product’s just not very good. I’m gonna be honest … I mean, this is ridiculous,” Aikman said.
Even for those who have spent a lifetime around the game, football still finds ways to amaze — or, in this case, frustrate beyond belief.