Update (March 25, 2021): Deion Broxton, a TV reporter who went viral last year for his candid response to an approaching herd of bison, is now an Iowa Broadcast News Association award recipient.

On the anniversary of the sensational video, which shows Broxton gathering his equipment and packing it into his car upon spotting the bison, he shared the exciting news on Twitter. He also admitted that he hired a speech coach to help curtail his Baltimore dialect.

“A year later. I get tired of talking about this video,” he wrote in a tweet. “But it’s a reminder of my journey. I couldn’t get a job on TV because of my hood/Baltimore accent. I spent thousands on a speech coach. Fast forward, this week I learned I won an award from the Iowa Broadcast News Association.”

A year later. I get tired of talking about this video. But it’s a reminder of my journey. I couldn’t get a job on TV because of my hood/Baltimore accent. I spent thousands on a speech coach. Fast forward, this week I learned I won an award from the Iowa Broadcast News Association https://t.co/4L8JP6cOAy

— Deion Broxton (@DeionBroxton) March 25, 2021

In March 2020, Broxton cut his report short at Yellowstone National Park, when he realized a herd of bison was drawing near.

One Twitter user responded to Broxton’s accolade saying, “Congrats brother. We all realize code switching is important because of them other folk but I'm glad you persevered and got your just rewards. I like your accent btw. Makes you seem authentic.”

The former NBC Montana reporter’s genuine reaction was well received by viewers, and to date, the video has been viewed more than 13 million times.

As Blavity previously reported, the video even garnered attention from one of Broxton’s former Towson University professors.

“He was funny, he always had a lot of personality in class,” professor Jenny Atwater said.

According to Yellowstone’s website, the national park makes up the nation’s largest bison population and is the only place in the U.S. that bison have been able to roam on public land since prehistoric times. Bison also have a tendency to be aggressive and can run up to 30 miles per hour.

Original (March 27, 2020): A Montana TV reporter had to think fast when he saw a herd of bison approaching while on-air. Video of the hilarious incident, which went viral quickly, shows Deion Broxton abruptly ending his reporting at Yellowstone National Park and running to the car.

"Oh my god, oh my god," the NBC Montana reporter said as he saw danger approaching. "Oh, no. I ain't messin' with you. Oh no … I'm not messin' with you."

Broxton had fun with his followers after posting the video on Twitter.

"There was a herd of bison walking right toward me at [Yellowstone National Park] today," he tweeted.

There was a herd of bison walking right toward me at @YellowstoneNPS today! pic.twitter.com/sdrBvojpwF

— Deion Broxton KTVM (@DeionNBCMT) March 25, 2020

The reporter then posted another video, saying "here's the video of the bison I shot once I got a safe distance away lol."

Here's the video of the bison I shot once I got a safe distance away lol pic.twitter.com/uL3XiR2ISR

— Deion Broxton KTVM (@DeionNBCMT) March 26, 2020

Social media users had plenty to say about the reporter's encounter, especially noting the side-eye he gave before running for his life.

"It appears you made the right call," one Twitter user said. "And may your side eye be forever immortalized as an overused gif."

It appears you made the right call. And may your side eye be forever imortalized as an overused gif

— Scottie Pimpin' (@mitchelljames53) March 26, 2020

As it turns out, the side-eye has already become a useful GIF in this time of the coronavirus.

me when i see someone cough within a one mile radius pic.twitter.com/ZH4LThFgBf

— nikolas (@nikparzanese) March 26, 2020

pic.twitter.com/do8gxWFKwb

— Truth (@SonnyAVeiga) March 26, 2020

The GIF is also being used for other circumstances.

Me, if I ever saw Donald Trump approaching: pic.twitter.com/JUufy1BYoy

— Fohtohgirl???? (@fohtohgirl) March 26, 2020

When that one coworker starts coming your way to interrupt your conversation pic.twitter.com/pqlleaGlhe

— PrimaDonna????????♒ (@BeamBunnyUp) March 25, 2020

#TigerKing
pic.twitter.com/LADGioOkXU

— Andy Sowar (@slowmovinghuman) March 27, 2020

Broxton was not only applauded for being funny, but also for being smart.

"Common sense is always a great public service. Thank you," one social media user said.

Common sense is always a great public service. Thank you.

— No (@FrazierIn) March 26, 2020

Another person said "SMART! Every year, they report someone being injured because they think Bison are just hairy farm cows."

SMART! Every year, they report someone being injured because they think Bison are just hairy farm cows.

— Tea Party Barbie (@laurahollis61) March 26, 2020

The Yellowstone Twitter account also commended the NBC Montana reporter.

"A perfect example of what to do when approached by wildlife!" the park tweeted. "Thanks Deion for putting the #YellowstonePledge into action!"

A perfect example of what to do when approached by wildlife! ???? Thanks Deion for putting the #YellowstonePledge into action! https://t.co/A3h75AACeV
https://t.co/YyZj7eK6gd

— YellowstoneNPS (@YellowstoneNPS) March 25, 2020

Broxton's story even got the attention of his former professor at Towson University in Maryland.

“He was funny, he always had a lot of personality in class,” professor Jenny Atwater said.

According to The Baltimore Sun, Broxton has reported from Yellowstone about 25 times since he started his job with NBC Montana two years ago. The Baltimore native said he often sees bison when he goes on assignment, but they have never come close.

“They always say, ‘Stay at least 25 yards away from mammals,'” Broxton told The Baltimore Sun. “But that damn bison broke the 25-yard barrier and I was like, ‘Uhhh, I’m not dealing with this!’”

The 27-year-old said there was one bison from a herd of seven which stared him down and started to come closer.

“I don’t know if he was actually going to come at me, but I knew I didn’t want to stick around to find out," the reporter said. “I wasn’t trying to be on CNN for being killed by a bison.”

Deion Broxton

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week