ESPN anchor Chris Berman’s remark following the Super Bowl confused Twitter users.
Berman noted quarterbacks for the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts became the first Black quarterbacks to start during the same Super Bowl.
“Also, of course, two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time. Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln’s birthday,” Berman said.
Watch the video below:
"Also, of course, two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time. Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln's birthday."- Chris Berman pic.twitter.com/J1BuWQTepH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2023
The clip prompted several Twitter users to reply.
Radio host Nick Hamilton tweeted, “It’s ok to learn the vocabulary of silence.”
It’s ok to learn the vocabulary of silence https://t.co/yVACrreObO
— Nick Hamilton (@NickHamilton213) February 13, 2023
Podcast host Bart Winkler asked, “They drag him out once a year for this?”
They drag him out once a year for this? https://t.co/2AuuZudVxU
— Bart Winkler (@WinksThinks) February 13, 2023
Writer Tashan Reed wrote, “WHAT?!?!?!”
WHAT?!?!?! https://t.co/zaOFFKnQDg
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) February 13, 2023
Sports reporter O.J. Spivey replied, “WTF?!!”
WTF?!!? https://t.co/GTpDCYP1qk
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) February 13, 2023
One tweet called the remark “ridiculous on every angle. The common man just sees two great quarterbacks.”
So ridiculous on every angle. The common man just sees two great quarterbacks.
— Ron Lee (@ronlee1975) February 13, 2023
Another stated, “My man couldn’t say also and during Black History Month or leave at during Black History Month instead of Abe?”
My man couldn’t say also and during Black History Month or leave at during Black History Month instead of Abe? pic.twitter.com/7YwUPRibZc
— Lee Sanders (@TheRCWRShow) February 13, 2023
The Chiefs were declared Super Bowl champions after defeating the Eagles 38-35.
“We just challenged each other, man, to leave everything out there, and I don’t wanna say we played tight in the first half, but you didn’t see that same joy that we play with,” Mahomes said following the game.
He added, “And I wanted guys to just know that everything we worked for is for this moment. You have to enjoy this moment. You can’t let the moment overtake you. And I thought the guys did that in the second half and they fought to the very end. That’s all you can ask. These guys leave everything they have on the football field.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained Mahomes “wants to be the greatest player ever. That’s what he wants to do and that’s the way he goes about his business and he does it humbly.”
He continued, “I mean, there’s no bragging. He could stand up here and give you these stats that are incredible that he’s had but he’s never gonna do that. That’s just not him. We appreciate that.”