Eastern Michigan’s game announcer criticized suggestions he will lose his job after the team drafted Noah Knigga.
But Tom Helmer still slightly messed up the linebacker’s name when he defended himself.
The 6-foot-2 Knigga committed to Eastern Michigan earlier this month. She went viral a few months ago. due to his striking last name which could sound like an offensive racial slur if pronounced incorrectly.
Knigga clarified how to pronounce his name in an interview with former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III in January. ‘Is Kuh-nay-guh,’ he said.
But that hasn’t stopped fans on social media from spreading jokes and memes at Knigga’s expense following the three-star linebacker’s commitment.
High school sports star Noah Knigga committed to Eastern Michigan earlier this month
Tom Helmer said, “My pronunciation skills this season will be the best in the country, bar none.”
‘RIP Eastern Michigan Broadcasters,’ wrote an account on X, formerly Twitter, in response to news of Knigga’s decision.
Helmer, the Eastern Michigan Eagles’ play-by-play caller, responded by insisting, “Some people seem to have very little faith in me.”
On his Hooked on Helmets TikTok channel, the broadcaster continued: ‘Jokes have been circulating online about this player’s last name.
“He recently committed to play football at Eastern Michigan, and people joke that his name will get a station fired.”
He added: “My pronunciation skills this season will be the best in the country, bar none.”
Helmer then attempted to clear up any lingering confusion about Knigga’s name, but got it slightly wrong. ‘The correct pronunciation of her name is Noah. kuh-nig-uh.’
The 6-foot-2 Knigga, who went viral, committed to Eastern Michigan earlier this month.