Fox Sports employee Bernie Beaudry, the guy who got clobbered by players when he ran in front of the Vikings' tunnel before Sunday's game against the Cardinals, said he was unaware that Minnesota players were about to take the field.
Beaudry was clipped first by defensive end Brian Robison before taking the full force of 6-4, 329-pound defensive tackle Linval Joseph.
Ouch.
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"It was the stupidest thing in 20 years doing this job," Beaudry said afterward. "I only saw the smoke. I didn't see anybody coming and then … boom!
"I've had a lot of close calls, but this cancels out all of that. I should have peeked."
Beaudry's glasses were no longer of much use to him, but his injures thankfully amounted to only a few cuts on his nose.
Joseph said: "I was really surprised somebody was there. I run out of the tunnel plenty of times, and I've never seen anybody run across before. I'm glad he's OK. Tell him I'm sorry."
Robison, upon being informed Beaudry was still able to carry out his duties for the entire game, replied: "Good for him. Tough guy."
The Vikings, who went on to win, 30-24, reportedly are planning to present an autographed picture of the incident to Beaudry before their home game Dec. 1 against the Cowboys.