Flyers Broadcaster Punked

Jonesy-JJ-Coatesy

For those unfamiliar with the Flyers local broadcast, Steve Coates is the man who reports from ice level while standing between the benches. I personally don’t like him because he speaks really fast, adds NOTHING to the broadcast, and is just plain annoying.  At least once a game he’ll mention that he had a view right over somebody’s shoulder and saw exactly what the player was looking at.

A few weeks ago, as two players went after the puck near the boards where Coates stands, a stick came up and clipped him in the forehead.  He bled a little, but did not make a big deal out of it.  During the first period of today’s broadcast, Coates was wearing a helmet, citing the new rule created for ice level reporters.  He complained about how it was too big, uncomfortable, and that it restricted his vision.  The broadcasters in the sky box teased him at every chance they had because he looked so ridiculous.  Near the start of the second period, it was revealed to him that the rule was completely fabricated.  The culprit responsible: President-COO of Comcast Spectacor Peter Luukko.  Gotta say though, I wish they kept the joke running for a few weeks.  Coatest looked very “special.’