ESPN announcer trolls Shea Patterson, Michigan during broadcast
Michigan fans who were tuned into Saturday’s broadcast of the Wolverines’ road game against Maryland aren’t too happy with ESPN play-by-play announcer Steve Levy. Ohio State and Michigan State fans are probably just fine with him.
Just prior to the opening kickoff on Saturday between Michigan and Maryland, the broadcast crew threw the show down to sideline reporter Molly McGrath, who talked about her recent discussion with Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson. The senior gunslinger obviously still has some high hopes for the season.
“Shea Patterson said last week’s win over Notre Dame was a memory that he will share with his grandchildren some day, but he doesn’t want that to be the peak during his time in Ann Arbor, telling me, ‘6-2 is not where we want to be and every single game is a must-win from here on out,’” McGrath said. “‘If we go 10-2, I like our chances to achieve our goals.’
“I then asked if one of their goals was making the College Football Playoff, and he laughed at me and said ‘Of course.’ So Patterson remaining hopeful despite a bleak look in the Big Ten and those two losses.”
The College Football Playoff talk triggered Levy’s harsh response to the Michigan quarterback.
“Molly, maybe you should have laughed at him back,” Levy said. “I’m not sure the Playoffs are a possibility.”
@SheaPatterson_1 getting roasted this morning pic.twitter.com/KAF0S9jh8V
— Jimmy Jawn (@JawnnyJawnson) November 2, 2019
Ouch. That’s quite the shot.
But what Levy saying isn’t necessarily out of place. Even if Michigan finishes 10-2 with wins over Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State, it’s unlikely it will reach the B1G Championship Game and having a two-loss, non-conference champion compete for a national title would be almost impossible.
Levy’s comment to “laugh at Patterson,” though, seems a bit extreme. It’s understandable why Michigan fans would be frustrated by the remark.