Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson’s touching SEC on CBS signoff wasn’t without an awkward moment.
With Danielson seeming to think Nessler was wrapping up CBS’s final SEC broadcast after Alabama’s SEC Championship win over Georgia, Danielson reached his hand out for a handshake, but Nessler ignored the gesture and continued to speak for another roughly 30 seconds.
Danielson then reached his hand out again and said, “way to go, partner,” which Nessler obliged and ended with, “Goodnight from Atlanta.”
CBS then played a montage of SEC highlights from its time broadcasting the conference’s games.
ESPN is taking over the SEC rights in 2024, ending CBS’s 28-year run broadcasting SEC football, including the last 23 SEC Championship games.
CBS will broadcast Big Ten games in its famed 3:30 p.m. timeslot starting next season, and has the rights for the 2024 and 2028 SEC Championship games.
Nessler replaced longtime SEC on CBS play-by-player Verne Lundquist in 2017.
“Some roads have to end somewhere, and our road comes to an end tonight with the SEC,” Nessler said on the broadcast.
The SEC on CBS went out with a game that will be most remembered for throwing the final four-team College Football Playoff into chaos.
Alabama beat top-ranked and undefeated Georgia, 27-24, putting the Crimson Tide in the conversation while making the Bulldogs’ spot tenuous.
There’s a chance neither team makes the CFP if the committee rewards Texas for its win over Alabama earlier in the season and undefeated Florida State gets in despite losing injured quarterback Jordan Travis.
The College Football playoff will expand to 12 teams next season.