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With just 46 seconds on the game clock, the San Francisco 49ers, trailing the Minnesota Vikings 22-17 on Monday Night Football, were driving at the Minnesota 40-yard line. But instead of pulling off a game-winning drive, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Vikings cornerback Cam Bynum for an interception and Minnesota cemented its third win of the year.
Vikings announcer Paul Allen, who has been the radio voice for the team since 2002, exuded excitement on his call of the play that locked in the unlikely upset. But then he took a shot at the 49ers.
“Purdy back to pass, somebody needs to sack him,” Allen began. “He loops it over the middle — intercepted! Yes! The Vikings beat the Niners and Cam Bynum has a two-interception night.”
A brief scuffle ensued, and that’s when Allen took it to the next level.
“And now a fight, it unfurls on the field,” Allen continued. “And we aren’t over exaggerating that. These sorry-a** Niners can go ahead and get out of town.”
The Vikings entered the matchup with just two wins on the season and two-score underdogs amid rumors about the future of their franchise swirling. The 49ers came to Minnesota as the class of the NFC despite a tough loss to the Cleveland Browns a week earlier.
Allen Sort of Apologizes Late Monday Night
Shortly after KFAN100, the radio station that employs Allen to call Vikings games, posted the video of his reaction to the final play, the Vikings’ broadcaster issued an apology.
“Sorry for the foul language,” Allen wrote on X. “But stop throwing punches at our players. Still, much respect for the Niners.”
Earlier in the day, before the game, Allen appeared to praise the Niners fan base, sharing a team video of red-clad fans lined up at an October 22 event.
“Whooaahh, that’s impressive,” Allen responded on X.
Allen Has Developed Famous Friends for Epic Calls
It wasn’t the first time Allen has gained attention for his radio calls. Some of his legendary calls have led to viral videos — and friends in high places that don’t watch (or listen) to Minnesota games on a regular basis.
When the Vikings pulled off an amazing overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in 2022, Allen delivered one of the greatest calls of his career.
“He didn’t get out of there! He did not get out. That’s a safety! Give it to us! Give us the safety!” Allen shouted when Bills QB Josh Allen fumbled in the end zone on the last play of the game. “Oh, the ball came out! Yes! The Vikings are gonna win! Yes, drop that ball Josh Allen! Holy cow!”
That call made LeBron James an instant fan.
According to Sports Illustrated, the NBA superstar discovered Allen after video and audio of the unforgettable call went viral.
James chimed in on Twitter with his praise for the Vikings’ play-by-play man.
“WOW!!! Paul Allen is a National Treasure!!,” James tweeted in response to media phenom Pat McAfee’s retweet of the epic call.
The biggest name in sports media right now chimed in with his own praise of Allen’s memorable call shortly after it happened in 2022.
“I didn’t know this incredible human existed until now…” McAfee tweeted at the time. “I feel as if I’ve missed out on so much electricity. The talent… the passion… the story telling Paul Allen, Minnesota Viking PxP, is FANTASTIC.”
As of Tuesday Oct. 24, Allen had not been trolled by 49ers fans on social media. In the moment — especially considering how the Vikings’ season has played out — it felt like a cheap shot.
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