College football announcer hits back at claims that calling Noah Knigga’s name will get him FIRED… but he still gets it wrong

The announcer in charge of calling games in Eastern Michigan has dismissed suggestions that he will lose his job after the team recruited Noah Knigga.

But Tom Helmer still messed up the linebacker’s name when he defended himself.

The 6ft 2ins Knigga left for Eastern Michigan earlier this month. He went viral a few months ago, because of his distinctive last name, which could sound like an offensive racial slur if mispronounced.

Knigga clarified how to pronounce his name in an interview with former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III in January. ‘Are Kuh-no-guh,’ he said.

But that hasn’t stopped fans on social media from spreading jokes and memes at Knigga’s expense following the three-star linebacker’s commitment.

High school sports star Noah Knigga committed to Eastern Michigan earlier this month

Tom Helmer said: ‘My pronunciation skills will be the best in the country this season, bar none’

“RIP Eastern Michigan broadcasters,” an account on X, formerly Twitter, wrote in response to news of Knigga’s decision.

Helmer, the play-by-play caller for the Eastern Michigan Eagles, hit back, emphasizing, “Some people seem to have very little confidence in me.”

On his Hooked on Helmets TikTok channel, the announcer continued: “Jokes are flying online about this player’s last name.

“He recently committed to play football at Eastern Michigan, and people joke that his name will get a broadcaster fired.”

He added: “My pronunciation skills will be the best in the country this season, bar none.”

Helmer then tried to clear up the ongoing confusion about Knigga’s name, but slightly mispronounced it. ‘The correct pronunciation of his name is Noah Kuh-nig-uh.’

The 6-foot-1 Knigga, who went viral, committed to Eastern Michigan earlier this month