Amazon announcer Kirk Herbstreit sounded woefully unprepared for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s surprise appearance on “Thursday Night Football.”
Ohtani was in the stands as the Los Angeles Rams hosted the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
The stadium flashed Ohtani on the scoreboard during the second quarter with the Rams up 10-0, which led to raucous applause from the fans in attendance.
SHOHEI OHTANI SIGHTING AT THE RAMS GAME.
👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/G0Yi22UKrJ
— Jonathan Ortiz (@therealjonortiz) December 22, 2023
SoFi stadium erupts as Shohei Ohtani is featured on the screen. #Rams #Dodgers @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/mXgDYVoZN6
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) December 22, 2023
Herbstreit and Al Michaels acknowledged Ohtani on the Amazon broadcast. It’s safe to say Michaels had an easier time saying the two-way superstar’s name than Herbstreit did.
“They just showed Shohan Ohtony-tony up on the scoreboard,” said Herbstreit.
“Yes, Shohei Ohtani is now a Dodger. That’s the reason for the cheering,” Michaels followed, with the proper pronunciation.
Kirk Herbstreit's Shohei Ohtani pronunciation… not great. 🏈⚾️🎙️😬 #TNF pic.twitter.com/kBoK1bMclK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 22, 2023
Mispronounced name aside, the Rams on Thursday appeared to give Ohtani the full football experience. The 29-year-old was seen on the sidelines as Rams players came up to exchange pleasantries before kickoff. Ohtani also got a custom jersey, which he put on while watching from his suite.
Shohei Ohtani at the Rams game tonight with a custom jersey 🏈⚾️
(via @AndrewSiciliano) pic.twitter.com/pOF2FYOeGw
— MLB (@MLB) December 22, 2023
There are stars that come to every game in L.A. but I’ve never seen the buzz surrounding one like it is with Shohei Ohtani here on the field before Rams-Saints. Rams WR Ben Skowronek had to come say hello. pic.twitter.com/EVghA4Z5B5
— Shawn Kopelakis (@shawn_kopelakis) December 22, 2023
There was initially speculation that Ohtani was planning to attend the game with another Japanese star, who remains a free agent. However, those rumors have been debunked.
