Kirk Herbstreit Apologizes for Call of Disputed D.J. Moore Play on ‘TNF’

Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore enjoyed a career night against the Commanders on Thursday evening, burning Washington for 230 yards and three touchdowns on eight catches in a 40-20 victory.

However, Moore’s final stat line easily could have been even more imposing. He was controversially ruled out of bounds on a 32-yard reception late in the third quarter, after which Chicago was forced to settle for a field goal to go up 30-14.

Amazon made headlines in media circles for seemingly overlooking the questionable aspect of the play, never showing a clear replay of Moore’s catch. Early Friday morning, veteran announcer and former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit took to Twitter to apologize.

“Speaking for me personally I was so locked in on the throw vs soft coverage and DJ getting another opportunity to make a big play after the catch that my attention was on his physicality and burst and didn’t see it was that close to him staying in bounds,” Herbstreit said to a fan who demanded an explanation. “That’s on me I apologize.”

Hey. Speaking for me personally I was so locked in on the throw vs soft coverage and DJ getting another opportunity to make a big play after the catch that my attention was on his physicality and burst and didn’t see it was that close to him staying in bounds. That’s on me I… https://t.co/3CM5ToVLuo

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 6, 2023

Polarizing as it was, the play was ultimately a blip as the Bears wrapped up their first win since Oct. 24, 2022.