ESPN’s Monday Night Football is back this week. As is usually the case for the first Monday night of the year, ESPN is broadcasting two games. One gets its main broadcast team, the other gets a different group. This year, Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden were in Minnesota for the early matchup between the Vikings and the Saints.
The late game was a unique pairing: Longtime college football broadcaster Beth Mowins became the first woman to broadcast an NFL game since 1987, and her partner in the booth is former Jets and Bills coach Rex Ryan. It’s a unique pairing, one that has an additional twist in the form of ESPN Deportes reporter Sergio Dipp on the sideline.
Dipp is a Mexican journalist who, according to his bio, has covered the NFL, NBA, and Olympics in the past. He also became a minor internet sensation thanks to this sideline report he filed in the first quarter.
https://twitter.com/xmasape/status/907438704242896899
Sure, it was a bit choppy, but Dipp was speaking his second language and was also on national television on the sidelines of a Monday Night Football game, so this absolutely gets a pass. Well, except for the reactions from Twitter, which had a ton of fun after Dipp went off the air.
https://twitter.com/realprinceblue/status/907452899525058560
Feel bad for Sergio Dipp right now. Yeah, bad sideline commentary. But I feel like I sound like him every time I open my mouth in public.
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) September 12, 2017
If ESPN doesn't use Sergio Dipp in the second half they're missing out on a huge opportunity. Everyone loves a good comeback story.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) September 12, 2017
Sergio Dipp is basically me at a bar when I try speaking to women
— Maybe: Luke (@lukebellus4) September 12, 2017
I'm old enough to remember Sergio Dipp's very first TV appearance. pic.twitter.com/TcS47RmVb2
— Jarrod (@dolfan565) September 12, 2017
Ken Bone needs to give his red sweater to Sergio Dipp. We have a new king.
— Chaps (@UncleChaps) September 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/LacesOutShow/status/907441165707960320
But a funny thing happened while all of this was happening: Dipp became totally aware of the jokes about his performance, and he decided to completely own it all.
✌😉
— Sergio Dipp (@SergioADippW) September 12, 2017
— Sergio Dipp (@SergioADippW) September 12, 2017
Additionally, Dipp received praise from a number of folks who understand how difficult doing this is.
Rip @SergioADippW all you want, but I respect anyone who can do live TV and report in a language other than their native tongue. You try it.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 12, 2017
Sergio Dipp, you beautiful son of a gun.#ESPNMNF
— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) September 12, 2017
A legend with a great attitude. I dig it. Keep smiling and enjoy your night. Have fun with the next hit. https://t.co/g3sDLryAnK
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) September 12, 2017
Nobody has ever handled anything better than Sergio is handling tonight. https://t.co/ZwMFj96oD1
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) September 12, 2017
And because everyone loves a good comeback story, Dipp started to feel the love from people who want him to get on television more often.
https://twitter.com/TheWhite_Kite/status/907436351724900352
The man's name is Sergio Dipp. And he's the only sideline reporter I ever want to hear from in any sport ever again.
— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) September 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/907444392478121984
https://twitter.com/TroutManrammer/status/907438584227131392
Getting on live television and doing a sideline reporter’s job is a lot tougher than it looks, and sure, Dipp’s debut on Monday Night Football wasn’t perfect. But seeing as how he embraced the moment and seems to legitimately love the game of football, hopefully he keeps getting more chances at this down the road.
