Awful Announcing, a site recognized for its critique of poor sports commentary, recently published a ranking of local NFL announcers based on reader votes. Voters were asked to grade various announcing crews on a scale from A to F and provide commentary to support their scores. After tallying over 3,500 votes, the duo of Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren from the Green Bay Packers secured the top spot, showcasing their extensive experience with the Packers radio network, where they’ve been a team for 27 years.
Larrivee and McCarren garnered the highest number of A grades among the 32 announcing crews, receiving 68 out of 137 A ratings despite also accumulating 11 F ratings. They narrowly edged out the announcing team for the Arizona Cardinals in the final scoring.
The feedback from voters predominantly celebrated Larrivee, who has served as the Packers’ play-by-play announcer since 1999, after previously calling games for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears. Comments highlighted his talent, with one voter describing him as “top-notch,” and another noting his exceptional ability to deliver dramatic moments while blending passion and poise into his commentary.
While Larrivee received high praise, McCarren’s performance prompted some mixed reviews. Some voters criticized him for overshadowing Larrivee with loud commentary and unclear analysis, likening him to a member of a successful group project who benefits from the efforts of others. McCarren’s background includes being a Packers center from 1973 to 1984, during which he was selected for the Pro Bowl twice.
In a noteworthy trend, the remaining NFC North teams also found their announcers in the top ten, highlighting the regional talent in the league. The Detroit Lions ranked fifth, the Chicago Bears ninth, and the Minnesota Vikings placed tenth, suggesting a competitive spirit among the announcing teams in the division. This ranking not only shines a light on local announcers but also underscores the passion fans have for their teams and the voices that bring the games to life.