Joe Flacco was entitled to indulge in a celebratory F-word Sunday night as he celebrated his Super Bowl victory. The problem was that CBS cameras were on-hand to broadcast the four-letter word to the world.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback was understandably ecstatic after leading his team to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He was also named the game's MVP for protecting the Ravens' lead against a surging 49ers offense during the game's second half.
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If that wasn't enough excitement, there was also the news that Flacco's wife Dana is pregnant with the couple's second child.
"This is f—king awesome,” Flacco shouted, while celebrating the victory with his teammates.
Unfortunately, CBS' boom mics picked up the word. A spokesman for the network did not immediately respond to request for comment.
It's not the first time the big game had an unexpected moment of rawness. Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Super Bowl kicked off a long and heated debate after the singer's nipple was briefly exposed. That bit of skin sharing ultimately prompted the Federal Communications Commission to fine CBS $550,000. The penalty was later successfully appealed by the network.
Flacco's profanity has some watchdog groups already upset. The Parents Television Council faulted the network and not the quarterback for allowing the swear word to get picked up.
“No one should be surprised that a jubilant quarterback might use profane language while celebrating a career-defining win, but that is precisely the reason why CBS should have taken precautions," PTC president Tim Winter said in a statement. "Joe Flacco’s use of the f-word, while understandable, does not absolve CBS of its legal obligation to prevent profane language from being broadcast – especially during something as uniquely pervasive as the Super Bowl."
Watch Flacoo say the F-word: