Sam Darnold’s sacks drove Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen crazy – Sports Illustrated
Sam Darnold was sacked nine times in the Vikings’ season-ending loss to the Rams on Monday night. Those plays resulted in an NFL playoff-record 82 yards lost, a scoop and score defensive touchdown, and a turnover on downs that essentially sealed the game before the first half was over.They also resulted in longtime KFAN radio play-by-play broadcaster Paul Allen nearly losing his mind. Allen, who has countless iconic, passionate calls of big Vikings moments — both good and bad — over the past 20-plus years, was understandably fed up with the drive-killing sacks, many of which were at least partially a result of Darnold holding onto the ball for far too long.”He’s holding it too long! Throw it, man!” Allen yelled after the Rams sacked Darnold for the fifth time in the first half.“HE’S HOLDING IT TOO LONG! THROW IT MAN!” -Paul AllenSam Darnold is sacked for the 5th time in 2 quarters Called by Paul Allen and Pete Bercich for KFXN in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/YxtjXFcQ7eThis was Allen’s call of the fourth sack, which resulted in a 57-yard touchdown return by Rams edge rusher Jared Verse:Sam Darnold is Strip Sacked for a Rams Touchdown,Called by Paul Allen and Pete Bercich for KFXN in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/NbbrNx3KPdBy the seventh one, with the Vikings trailing by the eventual final score of 27-9, Allen just sounded defeated. All of the excitement and fun and joyful vibes of the season had come crashing down in the opening round of the playoffs.Sam Darnold’s 7th taken sack of the night,Called by Paul Allen and Pete Bercich for KFXN in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/ZVvCuhW20XThe sacks were the primary reason why the Vikings lost in nightmarish fashion in Arizona, and blame for the issue deserves to be split between Darnold, the offensive line, and Kevin O’Connell. Whoever was at fault, Allen expressed what every Vikings fan across the country was feeling in those moments.As a bonus call from the KFAN broadcast, here’s Allen celebrating Blake Cashman’s would-be touchdown in the second quarter and then color commentator Pete Bercich flipping out when the ruling was overturned to an incomplete pass with no intentional grounding.“ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE HIS HEAD UP!” – Paul AllenBlake Cashman’s scoop and score is overturned into an incomplete pass,Called by Paul Allen and Pete Bercich for KFXN in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/q3w8963XuWStay up to date on all things Vikings by bookmarking Minnesota Vikings On SI, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and signing up to receive our free Vikings newsletter.Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.© 2025 ABG-SI LLC – SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
