WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins and New York Giants are having less than stellar seasons on the field but NBC dipped into their rich histories for what could be one of the most polarizing TV promos in years.
Nearly 32 years to the day ‘Skins quarterback Joe Theismann suffered one of the most horrific injuries in NFL history at the hands of Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor on Monday Night Football, NBC ran a promo of the Redskins-Giants prime time Thanksgiving Day duel featuring the two during Sunday Night Football — a promo that can only be described as epic.
Joe Theismann and Lawrence Taylor… together again. #NBC #SNF #Redskins #Giants Great Promo. @Theismann7 pic.twitter.com/RhZmi10XD3
— Carol Maloney (@carolmaloney4) November 20, 2017
What epic means to you, however, seems to depend on where you live.
While NBC Washington’s Carol Maloney had some fun with it on air Sunday night, some national outlets aren’t laughing quite as hard. Deadspin and Awful Announcing didn’t seem amused, citing Taylor’s sordid past as a reason to keep him from promoting anything other than a prison rehabilitation program.
Some might find the ad humorous and think it’s refreshing to see Theismann poke fun at a devastating injury that ended his career and — by his own admission — changed his life.
But it’s hard not to wonder if Joey T. being a good sport necessarily makes NBC’s choice a good idea.
If readers are so inclined, below is a video of Theisman’s career-ending injury.
Editor’s Note: Some scenes may contain graphic images.
