After his most recent game, ESPN’s Joe Buck revealed that, unbeknownst to viewers, he had a shiner the entire time.
After the Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers game Saturday night, Mr. Buck posted to X a picture of himself getting makeup done before the game, his eyes closed and the left one blackened.
The sportscaster was injured while intervening in a skirmish between his children two days before the game.
Mr. Buck did not specify which of his 7-year-old sons was responsible for the black eye, Wyatt or Blake.
“Not all heroes wear capes, but some bring them to work. Our makeup artiste, the great Kathleen Vybihal hid this from high def cameras tonight. Nothing like a knee to the eye while breaking up a fight between 7 year old twins 48 hours before a big game!!! He got me!!,” Mr. Buck said.
Not all heroes wear capes, but some bring them to work. Our makeup artiste, the great Kathleen Vybihal hid this from high def cameras tonight. Nothing like a knee to the eye while breaking up a fight between 7 year old twins 48 hours before a big game!!! He got me!! pic.twitter.com/mCJMSzosiL
— Joe Buck (@Buck) January 4, 2026
Mr. Buck also posted a picture of himself after Ms. Vybihal applied the makeup, with all visible signs of his black eye covered up as if nothing had happened.
The after … pic.twitter.com/2nhSYMBDSM
— Joe Buck (@Buck) January 4, 2026
The Seahawks won on the road in the Saturday matchup, claiming the NFC West title, the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye from their division rival 49ers.
Mr. Buck will once again take up the mic alongside color analyst Troy Aikman this Monday night. The 5th-seeded AFC wild card Houston Texans will visit Pittsburgh to play the 4th-seeded AFC North-winning Steelers as part of the first round of the NFL playoffs.
The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN. A black eye from a child’s inadvertent knee will typically have healed by then.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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