Having called hundreds of CFL games over the years for TSN, Dustin Nielson knows more than most that you\u2019re bound to get a stinker once in a while.<\/p>\n
And after calling Thursday night\u2019s 33-11 victory for the Ottawa RedBlacks over the Calgary Stampeders, the 44-year-old took to social media to apologize for a night that he\u2019d like to forget.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first half of last night\u2019s game might have been the worst one that I\u2019ve done. Honestly, it rattled me last night. I thought I would have slept it off, but I didn\u2019t,\u201d Nielson said in a video posted on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still pissed at myself, and I think in the media, it\u2019s so easy to criticize players, teams, managers, even leagues lately, but we don\u2019t criticize each other, because everybody will get mad and pissed, and we very rarely criticize ourselves or hold ourselves accountable. But last night\u2019s first half sucked. I was sh**, and I haven\u2019t been able to get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good Morning from Ottawa. <\/p>\n
A message to young play-by-play folks out there, you won\u2019t always be perfect but don\u2019t let yourself get rattled. <\/p>\n
In the first half last night I sucked and I need to get it off my chest. pic.twitter.com\/1q6IGxmZMV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dustin Nielson (@nielsonTSN1260) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI guess I need to just get this off my chest. Because I was, I tried to, like, I want to become one of the best play-by-play people in the country. And I\u2019ve got a pretty good gig right now already. But I want, I want to do more. Everybody always wants to do more. And I [have] as many good games as you can have, last night\u2019s first half has me completely rattled.\u201d<\/p>\n Nielson said that conditions inside TD Place in Ottawa threw him off his game immediately, leading to several mistakes. He mistakenly identified Stampeders running back Jeshrun Antwi as teammate Dedrick Mills, and said it was just the first of a few mistakes that threw him off his game.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, the sun was glaring in my eyes for the first quarter, and I let it get to me the very first play of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the rough call, Nielson ended his note trying to look on the bright side.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy I have another game tomorrow because I\u2019m going to get it back. I\u2019m promising you it\u2019s going to be one of the best calls of the season,\u201d Nielson said. \u201cI had to get it off my chest, and I was just pissed, still a little pissed, but I think I feel better now.\u201d<\/p>\n Dusty, you are very good at what you do. Appreciate the authenticity. Most people probably wouldn’t have noticed but we hold ourselves to a very high standard. Hold your head high, learn from last night and on to the next. See you soon.<\/p>\n \u2014 Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Social media reaction was kind to Nielson for his honesty, including from longtime TSN and current Sportsnet broadcaster Chris Cuthbert and Elks radio analyst Dave Campbell.<\/p>\n Been there more times than I can count. Usually fans don\u2019t notice but that doesn\u2019t matter because you know. After those games I can\u2019t wait for the next one. A chance to wipe the slate clean. Keep grinding. You\u2019re already elite. Your care factor will get you where you want to go.<\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Cuthbert (@CCpxpSN) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n As Nielson alluded to, he\u2019s back in the TSN booth for a call on Saturday between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. PT\/7 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n You might also like:Toronto Blue Jays front office had meetings with players to decide trade strategy<\/a>
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