Identity theft is not a joke, ESPN.
For Week 7’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast, the Worldwide Leader turned to Newton, Mass. native John Krasinski to explain Bill Belichick’s pursuit of the all-time NFL wins record as the Patrios coach took on the Bears.
An animated version of “The Office” star with an equally cartoonish Boston accent explained that Belichick — “the GOAT in the Hoodie” — is tied with Chicago legend George Halas at 324 wins and could take sole ownership of the No. 2 spot behind Don Shula on Monday.
“History could be made tonight,” Krasinski said. “Don’t change ya clickah.”
The 25-second clip drew plenty of criticism on social media, beginning with the caricature of the “Jack Ryan” star — clad in a “Do Your Job” T-shirt for good measure — not exactly bearing a likeness to the real thing.
The spot also leaned heavily on a Boston accent, which Krasinski has broken out multiple times over the years, notably in Hyundai’s 2020 Sonata Super Bowl ad, featuring “smaht pahk.”
ESPN’s John Krasinski avatar was lacking in several areas. ESPNViewers also took umbrage at a glossing over of Shula’s career. The Miami coaching legend has 347 wins and coached the 1972 Dolphins to the NFL’s last undefeated season, among other achievements that landed the late coach in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Shula’s first, ’72 Dolphins, whatevah,” the caricature said.
As Michael Scott, the boss of Krasinski’s “Office” character Jim Halpert, once said, “Fool me once, strike one. Fool me twice, strike three.”
