NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Don’t apologize for Tyler Palko’s foul language that you, NBC, broadcast… NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Don’t apologize for Tyler Palko’s foul language that you, NBC, broadcast to the nation. Apologize for the fact that the guy who is supposed to bleep curse words out did not do his job.

There is a delay with live television? Right?

Following Josh Cummings’ game-winning field goal, I made my way off the field and to an elevator, with plans to go up to the press box, but long lines caused me to wait by the elevator and watch the television. Surrounded by people wearing Irish apparel, I watched Palko’s interview on NBC’s postgame report.

The words that Palko shouted on national television that stuck in everyone’s minds were: “I’m so f—ing proud of those guys.”

“I can’t believe he said that,” one Irish fan said.

The rest concurred, and began to think less of Pitt and its football program.

Give me a break.

For starters, it’s not Palko’s fault that the entire nation heard how truly proud he was of his team’s effort. It’s NBC’s.

The network should know by now that players in sports are emotional and what they say is sporadic and unpredictable, so be prepared. Didn’t the Federal Communications Commission make this clear after the Janet Jackson-breast debacle?

Second, the respectable Notre Dame crowd was chanting swears after the penalties were piling up on their team. I emphasized respectable only because of the nature of the chant — the fans there in South Bend, Ind., are truly the nicest, but it just goes to prove my point: Sometimes even the nicest people say stuff they shouldn’t.

Yes, composure is needed, but understanding from the viewer is needed as well.

“In Tyler’s defense,” senior defensive tackle Vince Crochunis said, “nobody really knows what it’s like to come here and beat Notre Dame unless you’re out there on the field, and sometimes that stuff happens.”

The all-academic American added, “Athletes get very emotional in the moment, and sometimes you forget where you are. I’m sure he’s the type of guy who will apologize for his mistake.”

And Palko did. It was the first thing he talked about in post-conference interviews.

“I lost my composure on the field and said something in the heat of the moment,” he said softly. “I just want to apologize to my teammates, my family and anyone who was watching. That’s not me. That’s not Tyler.”

He’s right. That’s not Tyler.

Tyler is the quarterback who, after most games, puts on a nice suit and addresses the media with professional courtesy.

He is also the man who threw for 334 yards on Saturday, and accomplished something that no one in history has ever done — five touchdown passes against Notre Dame.

And he could not have done it without his team.

That’s why he’s so proud of them. He’s extremely proud, as the nation now knows. Thanks, NBC.

Jimmy Johnson is the sports editor of The Pitt News, and he’s so [expletive] proud, too. Censor him at [email protected].