Fans Were Livid After Fox Had to Leave 49ers-Browns Ending Because of Lame NFL TV Rule

The ending of the 49ers-Browns game was easily the most thrilling finish to Sunday’s early slate of games, but many fans across the country missed it, thanks to a lame NFL rule. 

The 49ers were driving down the field in a two-point game when, with just over 90 seconds remaining, Fox’s Curt Menefee came on the air and explained they had to leave the game for all markets that had teams playing in the 4:25 pm ET games, per the NFL’s broadcast rule. 

This was a jarring move to say the least, as lots of fans suddenly had to go from watching a great finish to seeing Zach Wilson run out of the tunnel:

Viewers in local markets of 4:25 p.m. ET Fox games watched the 49ers-Browns game cut away with 1:36 remaining. ????????????‍???? pic.twitter.com/M8238d2I4w

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 15, 2023

NFL fans were not happy: 

Just lost @Niners & @Browns “by @NFL rule”. Get to see @jets run on field. Now 2 minutes of commercials while meaningful football happening in Cleveland. Morons @nfl keep beating the fan out of me one stupid TV decision at a time.

— Russ McDaid (@RussMcDaid) October 15, 2023

Bang up job, #NFL. Definitely needed to see one of the worst QBs in the game run on to the field then switch to the 1st Quarter of a game (Rams vs. Cardinals) that will have zero relevance at the end of the season, if not already.

Awesome to see my Browns do this without Watson https://t.co/v79IvTAq9l

— David Villar (@davidwvillar) October 15, 2023

The fact I had to watch zach wilson run out of the tunnel instead of the biggest upset this year is disgusting. @YouTubeTV @NFLonFOX
Hope you guys get your commercials today!! https://t.co/WdnuQ1G7HZ

— Austin (@Meyer2325) October 15, 2023

Never seen the end of a game just cut away. "Due to NFL rules" WTF!! https://t.co/5aMQORqlIF

— Jim Myers (@jmyersNWOhio) October 15, 2023

JUST when the Browns were about to seal the deal.
NFL, come on man. https://t.co/zLuxIQrfVi

— David Horak (@DavidHorakTV) October 15, 2023

I almost broke my tv when this happened https://t.co/GRZpCVaWGa

— Jeremy Foster (@cantguardjeremy) October 15, 2023

For introductions?!?!? ????????‍♂️ https://t.co/eTgXSJ8rNf

— Brian Halverson (@BrianHalverson) October 15, 2023

What the hell? Fox says due to NFL rules they need to air another game? With 1:36 left!!?? #SFvsCLE

— sue kraus (@SueSuesee) October 15, 2023

FOX says they have to cut away from the Browns-49ers game because of "NFL rules" to go to "America's Game of the Week"... and cuts to commercial instead of going to an *actual game.*

— Colton Wesley (@CWesleyDJC) October 15, 2023

The “Heidi Game“ screw up all over again! 49ers and Browns 1:35 left close score and NFL rules give us a switch - to a commercial non the less, and a game that had not begun. I used to love NFL football but I’ll go to NASCAR for Sunday TV fun. Screw the NFL and their stupid rules

— John Scapatta (@johnscapatta) October 15, 2023

With 1:35 to go, the game on the line, @49ers driving to possibly win the game, and Fox has to switch to the Jets players running out on the field and a set of commercials per @NFL rules. Those rules are stupid!!

— Brian Ferguson (brianfergy.eth) (@brianfergy2) October 15, 2023