The Ultimate Announcer’s Jinx: How Buck and Aikman’s Words Doomed a Perfect Record
In what will go down as one of sports broadcasting’s most notorious moments, ESPN commentators Troy Aikman and Joe Buck learned the hard way about tempting fate during Monday Night Football’s showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
The incident occurred as the Cowboys were driving down the field late in the second quarter. The team’s reliable kicker, Brandon Aubrey, who had been perfect at home all season, was about to face what seemed like a routine 40-yard field goal attempt. That’s when the broadcasting duo decided to heap praise on the kicker—and unknowingly set the stage for an unforgettable moment.
“Mike McCarthy believes they’re basically at the back edge of field goal range when they get to this spot on the field,” Buck confidently announced, while a graphic highlighting Aubrey’s impressive stats filled the viewer’s screen. “The guy’s been unbelievable, so they’re right there.”
Seemingly eager to confirm his partner’s assessment, Aikman added the jinx that would echo throughout the NFL world: “I don’t think there’s any doubt.” If they choose to do so, they are within his reach. They currently have three points under their belt.
Almost scripted for dramatic effect, the next play unfolded. Aubrey’s kick, which would have cut the Texans’ lead to four points, clanged off the right upright. The sound of the ball hitting metal seemed to echo through AT&T Stadium, leaving fans and commentators alike in stunned silence.
The reaction on social media was swift and merciless. Football fans across the country quickly pointed out what they saw as the “mother of all jinxes.” One Twitter user, @GuardsJoey, summed up the collective sentiment: “If you watched that and still don’t think the announcer jinx exists, you cannot be saved.”
The jinx extended beyond the main ESPN broadcast, further enhancing the remarkable moment. Over on ESPN2’s ManningCast, legendary coach Bill Belichick, who was a guest for the first half, had also been singing Aubrey’s praises moments before the miss. After the failed attempt, Belichick could only mutter, “Oh no. Oh no… Might have jinxed him.”
To their credit, Buck and Aikman owned up to their role in the mishap. “And that is a full-blown network jinx.” I refuse to accept responsibility for this incident. Buck admitted with a hint of humor that it was everyone’s fault. Aikman, chuckling, agreed: “I’m not either.”
The incident serves as a reminder of sports broadcasting’s unwritten rule: never tempt fate by praising a kicker’s perfect record. It’s a lesson that Buck, Aikman, and now Belichick won’t soon forget.
As for Aubrey, the miss marked his first failed attempt at home this season, proving that even the most reliable kickers aren’t immune to the power of the announcer’s jinx.
The Cowboys would enter halftime trailing the Texans 17-10, with those missing three points looming large in what was shaping up to be a crucial game for both Texas teams.
The moment will likely join the pantheon of legendary sports broadcasting jinxes, serving as a cautionary tale for future commentators who might be tempted to predict success before the play unfolds. In the unpredictable world of NFL football, perhaps the only certainty is that nothing is certain—especially after the announcers say it is.