In one of the most high-profile transitions from the field to the booth, Tom Brady made his broadcasting debut as a color analyst on Fox Sports during the Browns-Cowboys game. Brady, a 7-time Super Bowl champion, officially retired in February 2023.
"We're here. It's been quite a journey," Brady said. At one point in the game, Brady showed discomfort, telling fellow broadcasters "don't leave me hanging!"
The anticipation and pressure surrounding Brady's debut were palpable. Fox Sports had signed him to a massive 10-year, $375 million contract after his retirement, viewing his legendary status as a significant opportunity to leverage. The network aimed to capitalize on his unparalleled football knowledge and wide appeal.
Brady’s commentary debut was described by some as awkward, but it improved throughout the match. The debut received mixed reviews from both viewers and critics, reflecting the high expectations set upon the legendary quarterback.
Social media commentators graded his performance as a 'C', criticizing his "awkward" demeanor. "I do what they tell me, understand that. I'm still a rookie in here," Grady said at one point.
Commentators like Gary Lezak urged patience. "He will get much better, so give him some slack," Lezak said.
Veteran sports columnist Richard Dietsch defended Brady, stating he is "someone attempting to learn the craft in real-time," and compared him to Troy Aikman and Tony Romo, who also made successful transitions into broadcasting. Although Tony Romo was more immediately successful, Troy Aikman learned the craft slowly, suggesting Brady might improve over time.
Brady's broadcasting included a scripted Fox Sports commercial where younger versions of him questioned his life choices, asking why he didn't "lay on a beach getting fat on piña coladas."
During the game, Brady’s analysis reflected his deep understanding of football yet revealed a struggle in conveying complex concepts succinctly for the audience. He described the difficulties quarterbacks face by stating, "You get guessing as a quarterback... It creates a lot of problems."
He also dedicated attention to individual in-game moments, highlighting a broken-up long pass by Dak Prescott. "Looked like his arm might have been tugged a little early," he said.
Brady commented on the impact of negative plays. "These negative plays hurt you so much in football... Negative plays really keep you from scoring." Critics picked up on the remark. One critic cited by The Arizona Republic compared it to saying "If you step on a rusty nail while barefoot it will hurt."
Fox Sports affirmed that Greg Olsen, who called the last Super Bowl, was shifted to Fox’s number two team not due to any shortcomings on his part but to accommodate Brady's high-profile hiring. Olsen himself expressed gratitude towards the network without grievances regarding the change, mentioning that he will focus on broader opportunities, positioning him as a "true No. 1" in broadcasting.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Athlon Sports, USA Today, Daily Mail Online, OutKick, Star Local Media, Marca, The Athletic, New York Post, The Arizona Republic, The Washington Post.