There’s something about an NFL radio booth that — outside of college football — really can’t be replicated anywhere else. Where a TV broadcast is supposed to present itself as a neutral observer calling the game, the radio broadcast is the complete opposite. The announcers are fans, and they’re just as fired up about wins as the rest of the fanbase.
That’s what made longtime Kansas City Chiefs radio announcer Mitch Holthus’ call of the AFC Championship so great to watch.
The Chiefs shared video from the booth, showing Holthus as he delivered his fiery call of the Bengals’ desperation kickoff return that ended in the Chiefs’ third AFC title in the Patrick Mahomes era.
You can doubt us, you can dislike us, you can even disrespect us. But you're gonna have to deal with us! pic.twitter.com/2pYEehLWO2
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 31, 2023
Holthus said:
“And the Chiefs will tackle him! This game is over! This game is over! You can doubt the Chiefs. You can dislike the Chiefs. You can disrespect the Chiefs. You’re gonna have to deal with the Chiefs as the AFC champions! And for the third time in four years, the Lamar Hunt Trophy — the trophy named after this franchise’s founder — is back in Kansas City where it belongs. What a gutsy victory! Grab a bucket of guts. The Chiefs are going to end the season where they began the season: in Glendale, Arizona at Super Bowl 57.”
What a call.
Chiefs fans also loved seeing that video.
This was how Twitter reacted
For my non-KC area friends & Fam… this is what 💯 % pure joy in doing what you love & are passionate about looks/ sounds like!!! @mitchholthus is a #kingdom treasure! And our very own Raven staffer @BrianHolthus is in there helping his dad! 😎 SO Thankful for the Holthus Fam! https://t.co/Iv0c1HFrCg
— Joel Branstrom (@Ravenhoopsquad) February 1, 2023
I mean this with all respect to some great Cardinals broadcasters… Mitch Holthus is the best PBP guy I have listened to regularly since Jack Buck. He is extremely good at what he does, in the big moments and small ones.
It's too bad Len Dawson isn't there with him. https://t.co/jvzxBWQ0pj
— Jason Hill (@JPHill_Cards) February 1, 2023
Mitch really the 🐐 https://t.co/w58Z4XzF2G
— Wrizzy (@k_wrizzy) February 1, 2023
He’s the unquestionable GOAT of radio broadcasting. https://t.co/2f01Rv70JS
— Passiønate Fan (parody) (@tKCyclone) February 1, 2023
Only watched this 30+ times today. All time call https://t.co/jjFb8SSVov
— Ryan Larsen (@biglarsbrew) February 1, 2023
wow @mitchholthus remains my favorite on air voice of all time. everything i wanna do in commentary exists with this guy. https://t.co/VRmhkediKi
— Robbie V. hosting 10 more years (@TKC_RobbieV) February 1, 2023
Mitch is the GOAT and I’m so so glad that after decades of disappointments he’s finally getting to make these calls for us https://t.co/u2LUr0D4fN
— Sir Bird Law Expert 🇺🇦 (@RealBirdLawyer) February 1, 2023
THIS CALL…the energy…the passion… https://t.co/rmi2Y8JAuA
— Jill Hall (@jilldorseyhall) February 1, 2023
This is such a good call.
Watching him deliver it makes it even better. https://t.co/0yKYZvEk2o— Tim Fritson (@TimFritson) January 31, 2023
Fantastic call from one of the best of all time. https://t.co/u0hLrp2GfL
— Craig Williams (@Coachwilliamsc) January 31, 2023
Never gets old https://t.co/Lr2bu9uoRP
— Marcus (@mcurtis206) January 31, 2023
best call E V E R ! https://t.co/McCh044BK7
— tallon rentschler (@talrentschler) January 31, 2023
They need a live feed of him for the whole Super Bowl. That was fantastic.
