Everyone occasionally slips up in conversation, and unfortunately, not everyone can escape notice. This past Saturday, Gene Steratore, CBS’ March Madness Rules analyst, found himself in such a predicament. Steratore, known to football fans as a former NFL referee, serves as CBS’ primary rules analyst for NFL and college football coverage. While football season has long since concluded, it lingered in Steratore’s mind during the closing moments of the NCAA Tournament game between Michigan and Texas A&M.
As the Wolverines sought to extend their lead with a dunk from Rubin Jones, the play followed a missed shot by Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin and was quickly reviewed for basket interference, formerly known as offensive goaltending. During the review, Steratore correctly predicted that the basket would not count, but he momentarily lost track of the sport you could say he was supposed to be covering.
“A good look from up on top,” Steratore stated. “You can see a percentage of that football appears to still be over the cylinder. I think they take it away.”
“You can see a percentage of that football appears to still be over the cylinder…”
CBS Sports basketball and football rules analyst Gene Steratore forgets what sport he’s calling. 🏀🏈🦓🎙️ #MarchMadness #NFL pic.twitter.com/tLHh4kfSwK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 22, 2025
Predictably, the blunder did not go unnoticed by fans and viewers alike.
Gene Steratore just called it a football. Dudes delirious 😂
— Big Blue Express (@bigbluexpress) March 22, 2025
Steratore talking football in a basketball game.
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) March 22, 2025
Gene Steratore just said ‘a percentage of that football’ is over the rim… oh boy
— Smom (@smomwetgobam) March 22, 2025
steratore just said football lol
— Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) March 22, 2025
At least he didn’t try and invoke the infield fly rule? https://t.co/PS5X4hoewl
— lhd_on_sports (@lhd_on_sports) March 23, 2025
Steratore just called a basketball a football. Is he the only rules expert?
— I’m a Y Unk not one of your little YNs (@HBKBrandon) March 22, 2025
While the basket was ultimately overturned, the Wolverines secured a decisive two-touchdown victory over the Aggies.
