Commentator icon Frank Buschman reveals in an interview with ntv.de that he may not be turning his back on football after all. Otherwise, he looks forward to the Super Bowl, where “crazy things” always happen. There is only one thing Buschmann doesn’t feel like doing on the “Protz Show”.
ntv.de: Mr. Buschmann, this is actually supposed to be an interview about the Super Bowl, but recently you commented on Instagram about your future as a football commentator and described yourself as “consistently inconsistent”.
Frank Buschmann: I have to clarify something that has always been very abbreviated in the reports. Yes, I was sick of football. But I only announced my withdrawal when asked. That doesn’t mean, however, that I personally had anything against anyone in my work environment. You can also criticize a system and still enjoy working in it. I love sports – and that includes football, especially the conference broadcast. I don’t blame football for being commercial. I also earn my money with it. I just want to be honest.
So is it possible to withdraw from the withdrawal?
As part of the children’s broadcast that we do on Sky, I saw these kids adoring the footballers. Just like they looked at me and sports journalism. That’s when I felt: Maybe I have to stop trying to improve the big picture. That’s why I’m still hesitating as to how and whether I’ll continue from summer 2023. But that is absolutely human.
To the Super Bowl, which is expected to be watched again by two million German devices. Why is American football becoming more and more popular with us?
In the 2011 season, I commentated on the first Super Bowl. If you look at the development of the sport in Germany since then, it’s gigantic. This is partly due to Ran, where great NFL football was made tangible. More and more people are now realizing how exciting this league is, where with only 17 games, every game counts and just losing can hurt badly. Football has something strange, mystical about it. This badass. This is chess with refrigerators. At first glance, a very fine, well thought-out and highly complex game is reduced to people crashing into each other. And when a few million people are watching in the middle of the night, it’s completely crazy.
A short-term hype only possibly?
According to opinion polls, football is almost the number one sport among young people. I don’t think we’ve reached the summit yet. It still goes on. You can still reach a larger number of people, but it depends on how football is processed on RTL in the coming years. The game has to be the focus and you can’t change the sport – although it is becoming more and more offensively friendly thanks to rule changes.
Is the Super Bowl the largest single sporting event in the world?
Absolutely, no ifs or buts. This is a complete madhouse and the greatest madness for a week. You can’t imagine it until you’ve seen it live on location. Just the media days in the days before the actual game are a monkey circus. I remember the Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch failing to attend mandatory press briefings and receiving a hefty fine. The next time he appeared but didn’t say a word. Crazy things happen there. The Super Bowl is a huge event and you have to see it to have a say.
Do you have a personal Super Bowl highlight?
It’s always great when you step into your box at the stadium as a commentator. It’s exciting even during the rehearsal when there’s not a pig in the stadium yet. When it finally starts in front of a full house, goosebumps set in. If you are not switched on for four hours, you can no longer be helped.
My last Super Bowl was the most spectacular in terms of sport: That was in the 2016 season, the crazy catch-up race after the New England Patriots went 3:28 against the Atlanta Falcons. The most beautiful was in New Orleans, where people really loved and lived the sport. I will never forget what happened in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. That was one big party.
Are you now watching with a tear in your eye because you no longer comment on the spot?
Nonsense, I don’t begrudge the others who comment and I’m happy for them. Today I watch the game from the comfort of my own home. Sometimes I don’t look until the next day without noticing anything beforehand. On a giant screen in the office and at a reasonable time.
Asked from a different perspective: Isn’t the Super Bowl just a huge swanky show?
(laughs) Absolutely. At the Super Bowl, the motto counts: show what you’ve got. This not only applies to the NFL, but also to the municipalities and the host city. And of course for the big companies that place their commercials for a lot of money. But: It’s a big show of the most successful league in the world. Without liking everything the NFL does – they do what they do very professionally.
In addition, there is even more patriotic posturing than usual at football games.
That always surprised me. It’s a matter of attitude, but I don’t need fighter jets flying over the stadium. I’ve always struggled with the idea that patriotism should also have something to do with the military. But that has absolutely nothing to do with today and I’m not the one who freaked out about it.
A look at the sporting side: Which team impressed you the most this season?
The Philly Eagles. And for one simple reason: they don’t make mistakes. They don’t allow turnovers. In addition, the Eagles are extremely versatile, they can run and pass. Even though quarterback Jalen Hurts was injured in the shoulder, things have looked very good in the last few games. I didn’t expect that before the season.
So who makes it in the Super Bowl?
For me, the Eagles are the favorites, also because Quarterback Patrick Mahomes can’t be at one hundred percent after his ankle injury. The Eagles’ defensive line is going to give him a lot of trouble if he’s even at 70 percent. Despite the great quality he has. However, Hurts does not yet have the experience of the big games that Mahomes has had several times. And often the Super Bowl is decided between the ears of the superstars.
A few days ago, Tom Brady announced the end of his career. Will Mahomes now be the GOAT, the Greatest Of All Time, of modern times?
It’s always difficult to compare. And I think the balance is getting better and better. I can’t imagine a quarterback becoming as dominant as Brady. In fact, he’s surpassed every single team: The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers each have six titles, the most of any team. Brady has seven.
Can Mahomes become such a dominator? He will at least be a formative superstar for the next five to eight years. But let’s not forget how young the other top quarterbacks are all. Either way, we have an exciting and spectacular half a decade ahead of us. Above all, because with Amon-Ra St. Brown we now have a German receiver in the league who has caught over 1100 yards this season.
David spoke needy with Frank Buschmann