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No matter what you may think, doing play-by-play for any sport is a difficult thing. The great ones make it look easy, but its not. Prep work dominates things leading up to the broadcast, getting notes, nuggets and entertaining tidbits take up time. Then once youre prepped, some stadiums are better than others to broadcast. Some booths are easier to work than others.

Then theres the forgotten element, the weather.

How will you handle inclement weather of any kind? Warmth, rain, snow and oh yeah, the dreaded freezing temperature. Before we get into it, here are a few of the less-than-ideal conditions my fellow broadcasters have had to deal with over the years.

THE FOG BOWL

During the 1988 playoffs between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles, a dense fog rolled onto the field during the game, making it nearly impossible to play or see. Numerous players complained they couldnt see 10 yards in front of them. Both teams were forced to use their running game because receivers couldnt see long passes. The broadcast was called by Verne Lundquist and Terry Bradshaw on CBS.

We couldnt see anythingabsolutely nothing, CBS-TV play-by-play broadcaster Verne Lundquist told the Associated Press. We had to look at the TV just like everyone else. Lundquists color man, Terry Bradshaw, told viewers the game should have been suspended.

THE FREEZER BOWL

At -9 degrees Fahrenheit, the 1982 AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers proved to be the second-coldest game in NFL history. It was so cold that Bengals QB Ken Anderson suffered frost bite on his right ear. The temperature was not only -9 degrees, but the wind chill was measured at -58 degrees, by far the worst in league history.

THE ICE BOWL

The 1967 NFL Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys became known as the Ice Bowl. It remains the coldest game ever played in the NFL, at -15 degrees with a wind chill of -48 degrees. Lambeau Fields turf-heating system actually malfunctioned before the game, leaving the turf rock-hard. Officials actually had to resort to calling out plays and penalties because when referee Norm Schachter blew his metal whistle, it actually froze to his lips.

The last two are examples of something topical since last weeks Super Wild Card game in Buffalo was played in extreme temperatures. At kickoff, it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill made the temperature feel like minus-5. A far cry from the above games, but come on, it was freezing cold out there.

The CBS Sports NFL announcing team of Ian Eagle and Charles Davis said Saturdays game between Buffalo and New England was the coldest work environment theyve experienced during their broadcasting careers.

We kept the windows closed in the booth until one hour before kickoff, Eagle told The Athletic. When we finally opened them, I had a sense that it would be manageable. I was wrong. CBS rented some industrial heaters for the night, but unfortunately, they were no match for the Western New York frigid air. It really hit me in the third quarter. I started shivering and actually had a few moments where my jaw got locked up mid-sentence. It was by far the coldest Ive ever been calling a game.

Davis recalled two games he called at Lambeau Field that were similar, but not as bad as it was in Buffalo.

It helped that the evening was relatively clear, and the winds minimal, but make no mistake about it, the Almighty Hawk (wind) made its presence felt and I kept drawing on one thought everyone involved was cold, and they were persevering, Davis explained to Richard Deitsch.

In addition, we were watching history be made in front of us by the Billsoffense seven drives, seven touchdowns, something that had never been done in the NFL playoffs. Beyond impressive, and it definitely helped us maintain focus. Im not sure anyone would choose to do a game under those conditions, but there was definitely a sense of pride among our team that we all worked to the best of our abilities on a night that would test all of us.

Davis said that there was no way not to think about his discomfort. He gave credit to the stage crew in the booth that helped to keep him and Ian Eagle warm. There was also a jacket involved, a familiar one given to Eagle during the game, leading to an excellent exchange between he and Davis just before the third quarter started.

Charles Davis: Where did you get the jacket?

Ian Eagle: What jacket?

Davis: That!

Eagle: Oh, this? Yes, Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, you might have noticed, wore this a few weeks ago and it hit the internet by storm. Kurt saw that we had this assignment. Kurt now runs a program Warners Warmers, he just sends the jacket out to whoever needs it. I feel like, I want Jiffy Pop Popcorn. This thing is very warm. This is the same jacket. Kurt sent this to me. Let me tell you, not all heroes wear capes, they wear Silver Bullet Puffers.

Davis: Lets talk about the game for a minute. Kurt, a brother would like a jacket too

Ive never really experienced calling a game in that extreme weather, especially after all the years Ive called baseball games. But being in the Midwest, even those early days in April and sometimes into May, cold temps are a factor.

I think the coldest game I ever called was a game with the Cubs where the temperature at the start was about 31 degrees with a wind coming off the lake. We debated on whether or not to open the windows in the booth. One voted no, one voted yes, so the compromise was the window near the play-by-play guy was cracked open just a bit. Games just sound different with the windows closed. Its not as clean. It sounds like youre doing a game in a closet. But sometimes self-preservation comes first. The same goes for extremely warm weather too.

The elements can wreak havoc with the way you call a game. Your pen isnt working all that well, and how do you score a game without taking your gloves off? In those conditions, as Eagle was saying, your mouth isnt in sync with your brain and you wonder if the torture will ever end! I know it sounds exaggerated but in the moment, its not.

People sitting at home still want you to call the game. They are looking for the same information you would have given if it were 40 degrees instead of 40 below with the wind chill. Its a big ask, but the broadcast crew has to find a way to adjust to the conditions and do what they are there to do. It helps when everyone understands that. Its not to say that you cant talk about the way things are in the booth or on the field from time to time. But dont let it dominated the airtime, as tempting as it might be to do so.

Just think, if youre cold in the booth, whats life like for the sideline reporter?

Excerpt from:
Your Only Focus Should Be On What You Can Control - Barrett Sports Media