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An awkward handshake between NFL commentator Joe Buck and Commanders owner Josh Harris has folks on the internet losing it. The interaction came during an in-game interview in Monday’s preseason game between Washington and Baltimore.
In the cringy moment, Buck extends his hand to emphasize a point while speaking with Harris. The owner mistakenly took it as a friendly greeting, leading to the embarrassing exchange.
Harris took over as the Commanders’ owner following the departure of Dan Snyder. The businessman is a managing partner for the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers, so he’s not new to sports team ownership.
He purchased the Washington franchise with a record-setting $6.05 billion deal, which was approved unanimously by league owners.
Not even a full preseason in, though, and he’s making headlines for the wrong reason.
While chatting about his new venture with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, Harris caught himself in an embarrassing situation.
New #Commanders owner Josh Harris thinking Joe Buck wanted a handshake and then Troy Aikman trying to hold his laughter in is just perfect 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/CimrHuxPcp
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 22, 2023
Fans and media immediately responded to the exchange as they posted reactions online.
This is SO much more awkward than being left hanging.
Harris thought Joe Buck was offering him a handshake.
He was not. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9DlOf6CC8U
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 22, 2023
I have died of cringe
— little robot from star war (@r28915194) August 22, 2023
A handshake gone miserably wrong.
i’m jump’n straight out the window after this
— r a n d y (@tahtinenrandy) August 22, 2023
This is really hilarious 🤣
— Jeff Lightsy Jr. (@jlightsy7) August 22, 2023
We’ve all been there before.
The people’s owner. We have all been there.
— Fantasy Football Dudes (@TFFDudes) August 22, 2023
I had this happen to me once in a meeting. I wanted to die. 😆
— Regulators Podcast (@RegulatorsPod) August 22, 2023
Troy Aikman holding back his laughter is maybe the best part of the clip.
Despite the embarrassing start, Harris will have to do much worse than this to get to the level of his predecessor.