Joe Buck Finds Out on Air He’ll Join Dad in Pro Football Hall of Fame

The announcement came during Browns-Bengals on "Thursday Night Football"

Joe Buck Finds Out on Air He’ll Join Dad in Pro Football Hall of Fame
Joe Buck during the Super Bowl LIV FOX Sports Media Day in 2020.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

During a live NFL broadcast on Thursday night, Joe Buck learned that he’ll be joining his father as an inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, according to USA Today.

Buck, who has been the lead play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports’ NFL coverage for 19 seasons and has worked in the broadcast booth for 26 years overall, was surprised on the air during halftime of Thursday night’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.

Following the announcement, 51-year-old Buck was at a loss for words while standing next to his longtime partner Troy Aikman. “I don’t even know what to say. I feel like – what? This is unbelievable,” he said.

Hall of Fame president David Baker informed Buck that he would be joining his dad in a recorded video that was played during the TNF broadcast.

“Joe, I know your dad would be very proud that you’re following in his footsteps because tonight we’re announcing that you are the recipient of this year’s Pete Rozelle Award for 2020,” he said. “Congratulations, Joe. Welcome to Canton.”

The other big winners on Thursday night were the Cleveland Browns, who were able to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 35-30.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes, one to Odell Beckham Jr. and one to Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb ran for two scores and Hunt rushed for an additional score for Cleveland in the win.

“You always want to get the ball in playmakers’ hands early, so those guys are in it,” Mayfield said. “I thought we made the most of our playmakers’ abilities. I’m surrounded by talent. I want to get the ball in their hands.”

Despite the loss, it wasn’t all bad news for the Bengals as No. 1 pick Joe Burrow threw three TD passes and looked worthy of being the top overall pick.

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