By Adam Roberts – 10/22/2020
When you’re learning the art of broadcasting, one of the first rules you’re taught is to, to the maximum extent possible, make sure you learn proper pronunciation, last names in particular.
Apparently, Wisconsin and NFL media have been making a pretty big gaff with one of the main offensive weapons for the Green Bay Packers.
According to a tweet from The Athletic’s Matt Schneiderman, Packers public relations reps clarified that tight end Robert Tonyan’s last name is actually pronounced “tun”-yan, and not “tahn-yan” that most have said since he joined the organization two years ago. NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport likened it to kicker Steven Hauschka or quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Meanwhile, “tun”yan was working extensively with trainers at practice today as he nurses an ankle injury. In other injury news, both left tackle David Bakhtiari and wide receiver Allen Lazard were doing work with the rehab group today as the Packers get ready for this Sunday’s game against Houston.