NBC’s Mike Tirico Claps Back at Critics Following ‘Asterisk’ Comment About Lions’ Win

A much-debated comment regarding the Lions’ season-opening upset of the Chiefs on Thursday led to criticism of NBC’s Mike Tirico. Now, the veteran play-by-man is speaking up to clarify his comment and fire back at the critique.

Speaking with the Detroit News, Tirico cited the importance of context in regard to his comment about Detroit’s win having an “asterisk” because Kansas City was without holdout pass rusher Chris Jones and injured tight end Travis Kelce.

“If you have a problem with the word ‘asterisk,’ that’s a very legitimate complaint,” Tirico told Detroit News reporter Tony Paul. “However, it should be in context. If you want to take out the middle of the comment and make it the whole comment, then you don’t understand properly how to attribute things.”

As Tirico noted, the static he received from Lions fans focused on his “asterisk” remark, although he also praised Detroit for being “for real” following the prime-time victory.

NBC’s Mike Tirico says critics have taken his “asterisk” comment about the Lions’ season-opening win out of context.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With that said, however, Tirico also made it clear that, while the complaints are fair, he’s not going to worry about being chastised in the court of public opinion, or falling on the opposite side of broadcast partner Cris Collinsworth’s stance.

“If you have a disagreement with the ‘asterisk,’ fine,” Tirico said. “Even Cris does. … That’s O.K. In a 3 1/2-hour broadcast, you’re not going to agree with everything I say.

“Could I have worded that slightly differently? Sure. … If you choose to ignore three hours and 15 minutes of other positive comments, if that’s the way you live your life, so be it.”