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While many may recall that moment, it’s important to note that Case Keenum was the quarterback who threw the pass to Stefon Diggs on that iconic play, which I know you already knew.

January 14, 2018: The Minneapolis Miracle. pic.twitter.com/idugmLdL0s

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 14, 2021

Keyshawn Johnson mistakes Case Keenum for Kirk Cousins during Minneapolis Miracle

However, Keyshawn Johnson, a TV personality and former superstar wide receiver turned NFL analyst was seemingly unaware or had forgotten this fact on FS1’s “Undisputed” Friday. While trying to criticize Kirk Cousins for his limited playoff victories, Johnson incorrectly asserted that Cousins was the QB who threw the Minneapolis Miracle into existence.

Whether his gaff was due to a lack of knowledge or just a brain fart, it led to one of the more cringy and embarrassing moments in Johnson’s football career (and that’s saying something). Worse yet, though? Nobody else on the show corrected him…

Whoops. That wasn't Kirk Cousins pic.twitter.com/G2dWdl1GA1

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 16, 2024

“He’s 1-3 lifetime in the postseason and the only win is the, the miracle, the eyes closed by the New Orleans Saints, that’s the only one”

Keyshawn Johnson

It’s quite amusing to see someone who is paid to discuss sports on television get their facts wrong as badly as this. It’s not just Vikings fans who know the players involved in the Minneapolis Miracle.

I’d venture to say that a significant portion of NFL fans know that it was Case Keenum who threw that iconic touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, before Kirk was brought in that offseason, as the piece to get Minnesota over the hump.

Is Keyshawn mistaking one Vikings playoff win over Saints with another?

Perhaps Johnson intended to reference the playoff game in the 2019-20 season, which does stand as Kirk Cousins’ only playoff win, when the Vikings faced the New Orleans Saints (in NOLA, not Minneapolis).

The play that set up the win.

Kirk Cousins with a DIME to Adam Thielen! 🎯 (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/vMGNGrHowN

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2020

While it’s the same team involved, it’s kind of classic that Keyshawn would remember Kirk for a lucky miracle heave, instead of the incredible performance he put on in 4th quarter and overtime in January 2020. I mean, his pass to Adam Thielen (above) was one of the most beautiful postseason passes thrown by a QB in Vikings history.

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Then, just in case you (or Keyshawn Johnson) forgot, it was Kirk who threw a perfect 3rd down touch pass into the corner of the endzone to Kyle Rudolph for the win.

YOU LIKE THAT ⁉️

Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph with the walk-off win in OT! (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/JHTwR7BER2

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2020

Mixing that game up with one of the most iconic miracle moments in NFL playoff history, probably has more to do with Kirk Cousins bias, than anything else. But when trying to spew hate for Kirk Cousins, the football world will reach however deep into their bag of criticisms as necessary… even if said criticisms don’t actually exist.

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster, am I right? With all due respect, Valleyfair has nothing on the ups-and-downs associated with this bizarre “Circle Me Bert” situation.

In similar fashion to many of today’s news-related whirlwinds, the reports regarding the demise of Bert Blyleven’s on-air shtick began with a Tweet:

Just informed by FSN that there will be no more “Circle Me Bert” and Minnesota Lottery winners for this coming season. I want to thank all the fans that made signs over the past 15+ seasons. Doesn’t mean you can’t still bring signs! Go Twins ?⚾

— Bert Blyleven (@BertBlyleven28) March 27, 2018

Once the Hall of Famer released the above information, initial indications were that the fan-favorite tradition was as good as gone. That bombshell, to say the least, was a tough pill to swallow. While many Minnesotans reacted in anger, I went straight to the grieving process:

“You are hereby circled.” pic.twitter.com/nGzAyVo9c4

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) March 28, 2018

During said process, I came across the origins of the “Circle Me Bert” phenomenon. According to Blyleven, the long tenured gesture dates back to the 2002 season. That’s when his employer, Fox Sports North (“FSN“), first armed the former big leaguer with a Telestrator. From there, with a “heavy-set individual” as his motivation, Bert went ahead and circled the big fella:

Previously, this article mentioned that many Minnesotan’s (for sure those Detroit Lakes’ Natives) reacted to Blyleven’s Tweet with anger. As for all of those individuals; you are hereby circled appreciated. In the midst of the aggressive (mostly passive) kick-back, FSN released this game-changing information:

“Circle Me Bert” started as an organic on-air element and is not going away. It will continue in its original form. @BertBlyleven28 will continue to circle fans on TV. The “Winners Circle” concept by @MNLottery – separate from “Circle Me Bert”- is evolving to include more fans.

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) March 28, 2018

Bada-bing, bada-boom. Like they say, legends never die.

First of all, f*ck yes! Who cares that it will no longer be linked to the “Winners Circle?” The important thing is that “Circle Me Bert” is back, baby! On the surface, this looked like a fan-ignited resurgence, that’s not the case. While all of the backlash appears to have generated a quicker response, APPARENTLY, the confusing scenario was a “misunderstanding.“

I misunderstood, Circle ⭕ Me Bert on @fsnorth is NOT going away. The @mnlottery Winner’s Circle element is changing to include even more fans. ?⚾⭕

— Bert Blyleven (@BertBlyleven28) March 28, 2018

Okay. I’m still not sold that this wasn’t one big publicity stunt (stay woke), but whatever. With confirmation that “Circle Me Bert” isn’t going anywhere, my conspiracy theory is irrelevant. Rather than stir that pot, let’s just assume this was all an accident. I mean, it wouldn’t be the network’s first mistake:

FSN is probably just relieved that there were no f bombs involved pic.twitter.com/hXIiPJjMrk

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) March 28, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com