Jim Nantz says he is fine after on-air ‘Peanut Punch’ stung his hand
The CBS broadcaster said he regretted punching a football held by J.J. Watt during the Bills-Raiders game but expects to call the Bengals-Ravens game in Week 7.
Jim Nantz said he expects to call the Cincinnati Bengals-Baltimore Ravens game in Baltimore on Sunday after an on-air attempt to punch a football from J.J. Watt’s grip left his hand or wrist stinging. The CBS broadcaster tried the move during the Buffalo Bills-Las Vegas Raiders broadcast on Sunday, October 18, and later said he had no broken bones, according to The Comeback and CBS Sports.
How the on-air punch happened
Watt encouraged Nantz to try the ‘Peanut Punch,’ a technique associated with former NFL defensive back Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman in which a defender punches at a ball carried by an opponent, The Comeback reported. Nantz struck the football while Watt held it but did not knock it loose. The Comeback reported that Nantz shook his hand afterward; CBS Sports said the moment drew concern from people who thought he might have injured his wrist.
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Nantz said he went at the ball aggressively because Watt had encouraged him. ‘I gave it my best and as soon as I did it I regretted it,’ he said, according to The Comeback. CBS Sports quoted Nantz describing an immediate reverberation after the punch. He said his remark at the time that he thought he had broken his wrist was a joke.
Nantz expects to call the Week 7 game
Nantz said he was fine, had no broken bones and expected to be ready for Week 7. His account describes how he felt after the attempt; neither outlet reported an independent medical assessment. Nantz and Watt are due to call Sunday’s Bengals-Ravens game in Baltimore, with Tracy Wolfson also on the CBS Sports broadcast team.
The incident also prompted messages to Nantz. He told The Pat McAfee Show that Bills quarterback Josh Allen texted about an hour after the game to ask whether he had broken his hand, CBS Sports reported. Nantz said a former US president contacted him with the same concern. CBS Sports did not identify the former president.
Read in depth: Sports
Angel Reese’s new Reebok sneakers arrive as her WNBA Finals run heats up
Rolling Stone reports a new Angel Reese 1 release, including a Reese’s candy collaboration, as the Atlanta Dream head home with the Finals tied.
FIFA says it will answer UEFA’s questions about Infantino, without committing to November 2
FIFA says it intends to respond to questions from European Council members about Gianni Infantino’s governance, but has not said whether it will meet UEFA’s deadline.
Sources and context
- Jim Nantz says viral 'Peanut Punch' sparked calls from Josh Allen and a former U.S. PresidentCBS Sports
- 'As soon as I did it I regretted it': Jim Nantz gets honest about 'Peanut Punch'The Comeback (Matt Hladik)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.