NFL players apologise to flattened sound guy in hilarious fashion

The NFL giants who caused a TV sound-man to become an internet sensation have apologised, by planning to send the victim a signed picture of the glorious collision.

"Hopefully that will ease the pain a little bit," Vikings defensive end Brian Robison told ESPN after the incident went online around the world.

Fox Sports' Bernie Beaudry was flattened by two Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen as they ran out of the tunnel onto the field before their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

Beaudry, 62, was making a mad dash across the opening of the Vikings' tunnel with his parabolic microphone when Brian Robison and Linval Joseph blindsided him, driving him off his feet and onto the turf.

Beaudry said the poorly timed run was "the stupidest thing in 20 years doing this job."

"I only saw the smoke," he told TwinCities.com after the game. "I didn't see anybody coming, and then, boom!"

Beaudry broke his glasses and bloodied his nose on impact before slowly rising to his feet - and he recovered to work the game.

"Good for him. Tough guy," Robison said, when told Beaudry continued on.

He added to ESPN: "I'm pretty sure that was the hit of the game."