Who are the announcers and referees for Vikings vs. Giants today?
By Adam Carlson
It's finally Minnesota Vikings game day and it's time for fans to start getting excited. about Week 1 and the season opener against the New York Giants. This road game should be a good test for the purple and gold since the Giants have a strong pass rush that will challenge the offense of the purple and gold.
Knowing how to watch the game is one thing, but knowing the details of what to expect during the broadcast can help to enhance the viewing experience. That includes things some people might consider unimportant, like the announcers and officiants for the game.
Although those details likely wouldn't stop most Vikings fans from watching or enjoying the game, it is something that can definitely have a possible impact on the outcome or enjoyment level of any football game.
Announcers for Giants vs. Vikings
- Lead Play-by-Play Announcer: Kenny Albert
- Color Commentator: Jonathan Vilma
- Sideline Reporter: Megan Olivi
Kenny Albert is an established voice of FOX football that shouldn't deter any Minnesota fans from enjoying the game. However, Jonathan Vilma can be a bit polarizing as a color analyst with some people enjoying his work while others don't care for his announcing. Megan Olivi will be familiar to some for her work on UFC Ultimate Insider on Fox Sports 1. She should be a solid voice on the sidelines for this game.
Referees for Giants vs. Vikings
Head Referee: Alex Kemp
Kemp started as an NFL official in 2014 as a line judge and was promoted to referee in 2018. Fans may remember the Michigan native from a viral call last season when he was interrupted by Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith while attempting to call intentional grounding.
Kemp was the only head official to call 18 games last season, which skews his statistics when it comes to the number of penalties called. Because he officiated more games, he led the league in penalties called. He was sixth in penalties called per game according to NFLPenalties.com
Full Officiating Crew
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- Umpire: Mike Morton
- Down Judge: Robert Richeson
- Line Judge: Rusty Baynes
- Field Judge: Sean Petty
- Side Judge: Lo van Pham
- Back Judge: Scott Helverson
Time & Channel for Giants vs. Vikings
- Date: Sunday, September 8
- Time: noon Central
- Location: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Channel: FOX