Chris Fowler appeared to be out there at less than 100 percent on Monday.
The longtime ESPN announcer was working the Los Angeles Chargers-Las Vegas Raiders Week 2 meeting, which was the second leg of the network’s “Monday Night Football” doubleheader. While Fowler was calling the action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., fans could not help but make the same observation about him.
Fowler sounded extremely hoarse on the mic throughout the contest. As a result, everyone said the same thing over social media — that Fowler seemed to be quite sick.
Chris Fowler in the booth tonight pic.twitter.com/warFUSgBSK
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 16, 2025
How Chris Fowler is sounding calling the Chargers-Raiders game pic.twitter.com/iUu3st11nD
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 16, 2025
Chris Fowler sounds like he hasn't slept since the beginning of the U.S. Open
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) September 16, 2025
Chris Fowler sounds like he has strep throat
— No Off-Season Sports (@no_offseason1) September 16, 2025
Can we get Chris Fowler a Ricola? pic.twitter.com/PD7q9ibP6Q
— Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1) September 16, 2025
Here is a sample of what Fowler, who was working the Chargers-Raiders game alongside color commentator Dan Orlovsky, sounded like during a first-quarter touchdown by the Chargers.
Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen connect for a TD to give the Chargers the lead over the Raiders.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2025
A raspy Chris Fowler with the play-by-play call for ESPN. #NFL #MNF pic.twitter.com/qglUFaluLM
The 63-year-old Fowler has long been ESPN’s lead college football announcer. But he began working select NFL games for the network in 2020 and has since graduated to a permanent role on ESPN’s No. 2 broadcasting team for “Monday Night Football.”
Fans previously had to get used to the sound of Fowler calling NFL games for ESPN. Now on Monday night, they had to get used to the sound of Fowler calling an NFL game for ESPN … while apparently sick.
