[Seahawker 562]

LOS ANGELES -- Bryant Gumbel has given up his role as an NFL Network play-by-play announcer after two seasons.

The NFL Network said Friday it was looking for a new play-by-play announcer to work with Cris Collinsworth on the network's Thursday and Saturday night games.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to call NFL Network games the past two years, which was a new experience for me," Gumbel said in a statement. "But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions."

[Weird harold]

I'm glad somebody thoroughly enjoyed Bryant Gumbel's play by play. I know I didn't.

[legend]

He was universally panned as perhaps the worst ever play-by-play man in any sport.

[Dusty]

Is this because of that "Gene Upshaw's leash" comment?

[Stoney]

Hey why not replace him with somebody who actually played the game? Gumbel has as much buisness calling games as Howard "I gotta talk about Muhhamed Ali" Cosell. Both were irritating and caused me to turn off the volume. Frank Gifford tickled me years ago on a Monday night game between the Falcons and the Raiders when he said "Howard.. PLEASE SHUT UP!" Then ABC went to commercial when they came back Frank was singing turn out the lights the party's over [he was drunk as usual] The subsequent interview with Howard went into a dialouge about Cassius Clay. Ever since then I have a big problem with announcers who never participated in the sport. I remember when the sideline reporters were not women reading lines scripted for them. Susy Colver and these other eyecandy pieces like Pam Oliver do not add anything to the game. Thier insight is totally useless. They would be better serving us by doing a segment on what the cheerleaders are wearing.

[suedon70]

All I've got to say is Hallelujah!!!! He was by far the worst play-by-play announcer EVER.....