Jim Nantz tried to 'peanut punch' JJ Watt and it didn't go well: 'My wrist is broken'

The best sports broadcasters are the ones capable of teaching fans something new and insightful about the game. Jim Nantz and JJ Watt did exactly that Sunday, and it ended in disaster for one of them.

The incident came near the end of the second quarter during the Buffalo Bills’ 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. During a break in the action, Watt decided to teach viewers how to protect the football from a “peanut punch.” The camera cut to the booth, where Watt showed off the proper grip players are utilizing to make sure they don’t fumble when another player tries to punch the football out of their hands.

Watt then told Nantz to try and punch the ball out of Watt’s hands. Nantz took a harder swing than either man expected, and paid the price for it.

Nantz immediately winced after full-on punching the football, which didn’t move. Watt started laughing right away, saying he didn’t expect Nantz to “go that hard.” Nantz took a few moments to gather himself before quipping, “My wrist is broken.” He then lamented ever trying to punch the ball out of the hands of a future NFL Hall of Famer. As the game went to a commercial break, Watt joked about getting Nantz some ice for his wrist.

The “peanut punch” is a technique popularized by former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, whose nickname was Peanut. Over his 13-year NFL career, Tillman caused 44 fumbles thanks to the technique, which simply involves punching the ball out of your opponent’s hands. It was so effective that other players started using it, and it remains a popular technique today.

The “peanut punch” has become such a concern for opposing ballcarriers that they’ve come up with their own countermeasures to the strategy. Turns out, it’s a pretty effective move, as Nantz learned the hard way Sunday.