Detroit sports radio host Mike Valenti unloaded on FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson this week, blasting what he called an over-the-top and “fake” final call during Indiana’s upset win over Penn State on Saturday.
On The Valenti Show with Rico on 97.1 The Ticket, Valenti devoted part of Monday’s show to expressing his growing frustration with Johnson’s style, saying the veteran broadcaster has become “a caricature” of himself.
“A network executive needs to sit him down and go, here’s the deal,” Valenti said. “You putz, you’re not the storyline — the game is.”
Valenti’s comments came in response to Johnson’s final moments on the FOX broadcast, when Johnson’s voice appeared to crack as he called Indiana’s game-winning touchdown avoiding overtime. Valenti wasn’t buying it.
“That was such a fake response,” he said. “He didn’t lose his damn voice. He faked it. He’s fake. His whole existence is fake. Shut up. The guy is nothing but a charlatan. What a fake-ass call. He ruins everything he touches.”
Valenti, who’s built a reputation for sharp, unapologetic sports commentary, said Johnson’s energy no longer adds excitement but instead overshadows the moment.
“He ruined the moment. He ruins everything,” Valenti continued. “I don’t dislike him — I hate him. He ruins everything. He has jumped so many sharks that it’s SeaWorld now. It’s ridiculous. He’s not even who he is anymore. There was a time he was a rising star, and now he is just… he’s a buffoon. He is a clown.”
For Valenti, Johnson’s approach represents a broader problem with how some broadcasters treat the game as a personal stage rather than a showcase for the athletes. He compared Saturday’s call to what might have been if handled by legendary voices of the past.
“Jackass, it was such a moment, man,” Valenti said. “Can you imagine a Brent Musburger or a Keith Jackson or a Brad Nessler? Imagine what that moment could have been. And instead, you get that.”
Johnson, who has been one of FOX Sports’ most recognizable voices for more than a decade, is known for his emotional, high-octane delivery and signature catchphrases. While many fans praise his enthusiasm, others — like Valenti — believe the act has worn thin in recent years.
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