Tim Saunders blew it, live on air.
The Flyers play-by-play man was suspended by the team Friday after an unfortunate hot mic moment during the third period Thursday’s radio broadcast of a game against the Sabres.
As the game went to an ad break around the seven-minute mark, Saunders threw to commercial — or, what he believed to be a break — and after some brief silence, began humming.
“While you’re down there, would you mind blowing me?” he asked in a clip now heard around social media.
His analyst, ex-Flyer Todd Fedoruk, attempted to clue Saunders in.
“I think we’re still on the air, Tim,” he said, with some urgency in his voice.
“No we’re not,” Saunders answered, laughing. “… Are we? Are we? … Do you have us? Talk to me.”
Indeed, they were.
The Flyers announced Friday that they, along with radio partner 97.5 The Fanatic, were imposing a two-game suspension for Saunders.
Tim Saunders host a pregame ceremony honoring Steve Coates, 43-year career as member of the broadcast team for the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 1, 2023. NHLI via Getty Images
“We are aware of the inappropriate comment made during last night’s radio broadcast in the TV timeout of the Flyers-Sabers game. These remarks do not reflect the standards of conduct of values we expect from anyone associated with our organization,” the team said in a statement. “We take this matter very seriously and sincerely apologize to our listeners, fans and all those affected by these comments.”
Saunders, 60, has been a game voice for the Flyers since 1997.
He has not publicly addressed the incident as of this writing.