Tom Brady made a surprising discovery about his Fox Sports contract live on air Sunday, as the NFL legend learned that he’d be required to work on Thanksgiving Day. The revelation came during a light-hearted moment on Fox’s ‘The OT’ postgame show, catching Brady off guard and giving viewers an unexpected bit of entertainment.
Earlier in the day, Brady had provided commentary for the Packers’ victory over the 49ers, his first major broadcast of the afternoon. Later, as he joined ‘The OT’ show, host Curt Menefee decided to deliver some surprising news to the freshly retired quarterback.
“Hey Tom, [Michael] Strahan’s first year, he learned that he actually had to work on Thanksgiving Day,” Menefee said, setting up the reveal. “He thought he had it off. Did they tell you that before you signed on? You have to work on Thanksgiving Day this year!”
The announcement prompted Brady to make an exaggerated shocked face before responding with an incredulous, “What?” The playful banter continued as Brady laughed off the joke, while Michael Strahan joined in, suggesting that he and Brady skip work altogether and celebrate Thanksgiving together instead. It was a light-hearted moment that added a bit of humor to the broadcast, and Brady seemed to take it in stride.
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Fox Sports will be covering the much-anticipated Thanksgiving matchup between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, and Brady is now confirmed to be part of the broadcast team for the big game. Brady, who officially retired from the NFL in February 2023, is in his first year as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
His highly anticipated move into broadcasting came with a massive 10-year, $375 million contract, which he signed before eventually stepping into the broadcast booth this fall.
Since joining Fox Sports, Brady has faced some ups and downs in his new career. Earlier this season, when Brady made his on-air debut calling a Cowboys-Browns game, fans had mixed reactions to his performance. The legendary quarterback was candid about the experience, admitting that he had room for improvement.
In a YouTube video posted on his channel, Brady reflected on his initial outing, saying, “Certainly a lot of fun, definitely some things to clean up. It’s all a learning process.” Brady acknowledged the steep learning curve, but he also conveyed a genuine enthusiasm for his new role.
However, Brady’s transition into broadcasting hasn’t been without controversy. His involvement as a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, a deal that was officially approved by NFL owners last month, has raised questions regarding his dual roles.
As a partial owner, Brady is subject to several restrictions that limit his activities as a broadcaster.
Due to his ownership stake, he is not allowed to attend teams’ practices or take part in production meetings with players or coaches, a customary practice for broadcasters that helps them gain deeper insight into upcoming games. Additionally, Brady is prohibited from criticizing game officials and other NFL teams, and he must adhere to the league’s gambling and anti-tampering policies.
Another incident that landed Brady in hot water involved comments he made about Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. During a discussion, Brady described Allen’s playing style by saying, “Sometimes he played like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high, but now he’s controlled the chaos.” The term “spaz” is considered offensive and is often regarded as an ableist slur.
The word is an abbreviation of “sp*stic,” and it has been used derogatorily to describe someone perceived as awkward or clumsy. Although Brady faced backlash for his choice of words, Fox did not discipline him for the incident.
The moment was a reminder that even seasoned public figures like Brady can find themselves in controversy when stepping into a new professional arena.
Despite these challenges, Brady has remained committed to finding his footing as a broadcaster. His charm, wit, and knowledge of the game continue to make him an engaging figure, even as he navigates the transition from playing the sport to analyzing it from the booth.
With his Thanksgiving duties ahead and plenty of games yet to cover, Brady has ample opportunities to hone his skills and become the kind of broadcaster that his fans hope to see—knowledgeable, entertaining, and polished.
