Harrison Smith gets no respect from Mike Tirico

Harrison Smith is a Pro Bowl player and arguably one of the best safeties in the league, so why doesn’t Mike Tirico know his name?

Mike Tirico, sit down and let me explain something to you:

“Harrison Smith” is the name of the Minnesota Vikings safety who played in Sunday night’s Pro Bowl. “Hunter Smith” is the name of a punter who used to play for the Indianapolis Colts.

Is it that hard to remember that his name is “Harrison” and not “Hunter?”

I like Mike Tirico as an announcer and want to believe he is not a knucklehead like that guy Mike Goldberg. Mr. Tirico, please learn the names of the players.

Harrison Smith is not some seventh round rookie or practice squad player barely hanging on. He’s a Pro Bowl safety. A deserving Pro Bowl safety.

It may shock Mr. Mike Tirico to know that Harrison Smith, the guy whose name he can’t seem to recall, was named best safety in the NFL for 2015 by Pro Football Focus.

I’m guessing Tirico isn’t familiar with Pro Football Focus. How much prep does this guy even do for games? He should at least learn the players’ names, you would think. That’s the least you would expect from a professional announcer working for ESPN, the World Wide Leader in sports.

Next: Bridgewater Pro Bowl plays

It’s funny when Brian Billick calls Jared Allen “Gerald Allen” because Billick is a nitwit former coach doing color. The play-by-play guy is supposed to be the professional who knows all the names of the players and stuff. At least that’s what I always thought.

Not that Harrison Smith cares really. His only concern is making plays on the football field. He’s not paying any attention to Mike Tirico or anyone else.

As a fan, I’m allowed to get annoyed on Smith’s behalf. Mike Tirico, learn Harrison Smith’s name. He’s a pretty good player and there’s no excuse. I guess Tirico figured if the players are allowed to mail it in on the field, he should be allowed to mail it in too.