NBC Sports has immediately suspended Cris Collinsworth, the Super Bowl legend from the Cincinnati Bengals, after an inappropriate comment he made during Sunday Night Football sparked a social media storm. Collinsworth’s remark came during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers on the evening of November 13, 2025, just days before the crucial matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals scheduled for Sunday, November 14.
During the broadcast of the Chargers-Steelers game, Collinsworth made a controversial statement while describing the lack of offensive action in the game: “Eventually, someone needs to bust one out.” Although his intent was to describe a breakthrough in the game, the phrase is commonly understood in a sexual context, which led to strong criticism from fans and experts on social media. Collinsworth’s comment quickly became a hot topic, prompting NBC Sports to take swift action.
NBC Sports issued an official statement confirming Collinsworth’s suspension, stating:
“We are aware of the comments made during Sunday Night Football and have decided to suspend Cris Collinsworth immediately, pending an internal review. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism on air.”
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella also addressed the incident, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining broadcasting integrity:
“We regret that Cris’s comment was made on air,” Cordella said. “We are committed to ensuring that our broadcasts reflect the standards our audience expects. We will conduct a thorough review and take appropriate action.”
Collinsworth, who has earned 3 Pro Bowl selections and 1 Super Bowl championship during his career, is no stranger to viral moments, but this is the first time NBC has taken disciplinary action against him. The network’s decision reflects the increasing scrutiny that sports broadcasters face in the age of social media, where every word can instantly become a subject of controversy.
With the important Steelers vs Bengals game coming up on Sunday, NBC Sports has decided to have veteran host Mike Tirico continue as the primary play-by-play announcer, while a temporary analyst will be brought in to replace Collinsworth for the time being. The suspension will be reviewed as part of NBC’s ongoing evaluation.
This incident is likely to affect NBC’s image, but with a commitment to upholding high standards, the network hopes to regain the trust of its audience in the near future.
