Joe Buck is one of the most polarizing sports broadcasters in the industry, but the FOX play-by-play commentator has been the voice for some of biggest moments in baseball and football.
Part of his success has come through a partnership with Troy Aikman in the booth for NFL broadcasts. Buck appeared on Colin Cowherd’s podcast, and Cowherd noted how Buck and Aikman “sound like college buddies” who might be drinking a “small glass of bourbon” while calling the game.
Well, Cowherd’s guess was almost spot-on.
“We have had that glass of bourbon in the booth,” Buck said. “Although it’s not bourbon, it’s tequila, splash of Grand Marnier and grapefruit juice.”
The secret to a relaxing broadcast? @Buck shares what has worked for him. pic.twitter.com/ODvhkuYZj1
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) February 15, 2021
Buck said that tendency began when he called baseball games with John Smoltz. In the first inning of postseason games, Buck would ask the runner to “go get the biggest beer that the stadium sold.”
“And I had it sitting there, and I would sip it from time to time to remind myself to relax and have fun. I’m just doing a game,” Buck said.
Beer turned into tequila when Buck brought the tradition over to football with Aikman.
“Because Troy is a man of finer tastes, beer somehow became tequila, Grand Marnier and grapefruit juice,” Buck said. “We haven’t done it in a long time now, but it was good for a stretch, and I feel like it’s a good mental trigger to just chill and remind yourself that you’re not refueling a F-16 in mid-flight. You’re doing a sporting event, and if you treat it like anything other than that you’re doing yourself a disservice.”
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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