By Harry Allison
For those of you who have been in a post-Super Bowl funk, you probably didn’t notice that longtime NBCSP screamer Michael Barkann hasn’t been on the air.
The last we heard Barkann — why does he always bellow and blow so hard? — he was massively overreacting to the holding call at the end of the Super Bowl that some dopes think cost the Eagles the game.
Even James Bradberry, who was called for the hold on KC’s Juju Smith-Schuster, admitted right away that it was a penalty.
Barkann went so nut-so that even his bosses at NBCSP noticed.
And he returned Thursday night alongside former Eagles offensive lineman Barrett Brooks.
He joked about returning to his own version of Aaron Rodgers’ “Retreat Into Darkness,” Barkann apologized for his choice of words after the Super Bowl and vowed it “won’t happen again.”
“I would like to apologize to our viewers and my colleagues for my statements and my actions,” Barkann said. “My comments were unprofessional, inappropriate and contrary to the values I hold dear and those we uphold as a team here at NBC Sports Philadelphia.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions and I assure you that this is a learning experience for me and it will not happen again,” Barkann added. “I know what a privilege it is to enter your homes every day and night. I never want to offend or disappoint you again.”
Barkann wasn’t officially suspended, according to NBCSP, but he has not been in coverage since the incident.
Barkann went viral after the Super Bowl thanks to a tirade on “Eagles PostGame Live” when he complained that the call against Bradberry was “absolute, complete bullshit.”
“You don’t call right away. You don’t let referees decide the game,” said Barkann. “It’s a frigging Super Bowl! And that should never happen!”
Barkann is expected to resume his normal role hosting Phillies pre- and post-game coverage this season alongside Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis.
