With ESPN broadcasting a Monday Night Football doubleheader, the network’s secondary booth was called into action.
While Joe Buck and Troy Aikman called the first game of the night between the Buccaneers and Texans, it was Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick on the call for the night cap between the Raiders and Chargers.
As the second game kicked off, it was immediately clear that Fowler’s voice was not operating at 100%. Fowler normally has one of the smoothest voices in play-by-play, but on Monday, he was hitting a lower baritone than usual, with a bit of a scratch or growl behind it.
It was especially noticeable when Fowler was working to get his voice up for a big moment.
herbert to allen hits every time
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 16, 2025
📺 @espn pic.twitter.com/JsjYUsmkBa
Fans and commentators at home were quick to chime in on social media.
The terrible audio combined with Chris Fowler’s not 100% voice is absolutely atrocious on this game.
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) September 16, 2025
ESPN sending Chris Fowler into the booth tonight pic.twitter.com/oqkgY5pC6W
— Cola (@Brandonjcola) September 16, 2025
Poor Chris Fowler needs a hot cup of green tea and a good night's rest.
— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) 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
Why does Chris Fowler sound like he’s underwater? Assuming he’s sick? ESPN should have backups available on their depth chart!
— Josh Rosen (@Joshimpressions) September 16, 2025
Can we get Chris Fowler a Ricola? pic.twitter.com/PD7q9ibP6Q
— Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1) September 16, 2025
You have to wonder what the backup plan here was, but it’s possible ESPN was already operating on a skinny production team, given the fact that they had two games to cover tonight.
Calling a nationally televised football game is a tough job, and doing it while your voice is shot only makes it tougher. Credit to Fowler for giving it a go in the booth. Wishing him good health.
All that said, someone get this man a lozenge.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as NFL Fans All Said the Same Thing About Chris Fowler's Voice on 'MNF'.