Ravens Insider: Ravens announcer Gerry Sandusky apologizes after criticizing chain gang in preseason game

[ExtremeRavens]

Baltimore sportscaster Gerry Sandusky apologized Saturday for his criticism of NFL sideline officials during the Ravens’ preseason opener last week.

During Baltimore’s 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 9, Sandusky, calling the play-by-play for WBAL-TV, took issue with the two-person chain gang, which marks the down and distance with a set of bright orange markers 10 yards apart. After Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee tried to pick up a first down on a sneak in the fourth quarter, the chains were brought out for a measurement, drawing Sandusky’s ire.

“This is one of the things — as you look at the replay, think about this,” Sandusky said. “We have the technology to put a GPS tracker on Mars. But we still use a bunch of older guys on the sideline with sticks to measure whether a ball carrier got a first down or not. Nothing against the older guys with sticks.”

After the measurement, officials signaled that McKee picked up the first down, giving the Eagles a first-and-10 on their own 49-yard line with 2:45 to play. As the TV cameras focused on one of the members of the chain gang running back to the sideline, Sandusky took a moment to comment on the official’s physical appearance.

“It just seems absurd that in a game where they have GPS trackers on player’s shoulder pads, they have 19 different levels of algorithms to measure everything in the NFL we still use guys with glasses who are no longer what you’d call physically fit trotting out a pair of sticks to measure first downs,” Sandusky said.

"In a game where they have GPS trackers on player's shoulder pads…we still use guys with glasses who are no longer what you'd call physically fit trotting out a pair of sticks to measure first downs."

Gerry Sandusky doesn't care for the chain gang. pic.twitter.com/VwEZlfk4Bu

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 10, 2024

The drive ended with a missed 50-yard field goal attempt by kicker Jake Elliott with 21 seconds left that would have given Philadelphia the lead, but the Eagles forced a fumble on the first play of the Ravens’ next possession and recovered the ball before kicking a game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired.

The following day, Sandusky posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter.

“In last nights Ravens broadcast I commented on the use of a chain gang instead of technology on measurements. I did not intend to demean any individual,” he wrote. “I apologize to the members of the chain gang for what I said. I recognize they are doing an important job as professionals.”

On Saturday, just before the Ravens and Atlanta Falcons kicked off their second preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium, Sandusky also apologized on air on WBAL.

“During last week’s preseason game while referencing the lack of technology for marking first downs, I made comments about the chain gang that I should not have made,” he said. “‘For that, I am sorry. To all members of the chain gang, thank you for your dedication to youth, high school, college and professional sports. Please accept my apology. Your contribution to football at all levels is appreciated and valued.”

Last month, the Associated Press reported that the NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure line to gain. NFL executive Gary Brantley told the AP that the league will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during some preseason games, but the system most likely wouldn’t be ready for full implementation until next season.

Sandusky, a Towson University graduate who has anchored sports coverage at WBAL-TV since 1988, is the Ravens’ radio play-by-play announcer. During the preseason, he serves as the Ravens’ play-by-play man on WBAL’s television broadcasts. The Baltimore County resident is a two-time Emmy award winner and has also won two Edward R. Murrow awards.

View the full article