Fox NFL broadcaster Greg Olsen recently appeared on SI Media With Jimmy Traina, where he discussed his transition from being Fox’s No. 1 analyst to the No. 2 position and shared insights into his relationship with Tom Brady.
The conversation revealed the professional respect and camaraderie between the two former NFL stars.
“He’s been nothing but respectful and nothing but professional through all of this, which has been amazing, and I’ve tried to be that in return to him,” Olsen told Traina. “I have no animosity or ill will towards Tom. I think everyone is excited to see what it’s going to be like, what his perspective is going to be, what his style is going to be.”
Brady’s massive contract and superstar status, coupled with Fox’s bold decision to shake up a beloved and proven broadcast team, has made this one of the biggest stories in sports media since the plan was first announced. Despite the potential for tension, Olsen described a smooth and cooperative transition behind the scenes.
“I’ve gotten to know Tom now over the last couple of months, spent a lot of time with him last week in L.A. at the seminar. He’s been awesome. It’s been great to just get to know him personally. I didn’t know him that intimately when we were playing… but just getting to know him, getting to know about his family, hearing him talk about his kids, it’s cool to see the human side of him and just kick back and hang.”
The mutual respect and professionalism exhibited by Olsen and Brady have helped them navigate this unusual situation and turn it into an opportunity for growth and teamwork. Both have long-standing reputations for their dedication and character, which has undoubtedly contributed to their positive relationship.
“We’ve spoken a lot now,” Olsen said. “We’ve talked about the industry and some of the challenges I faced when I first started. There are things I had to learn the hard way, and I look at them very differently now going into year four than I did in year one. There’s an element of you don’t know what you don’t know, and I think he’s doing a really nice job picking people’s brains and getting opinions. He’s got the best partner (Kevin Burkhardt) you could ask for, especially for someone new to the industry.”
Olsen’s comments reflect his understanding of the steep learning curve in sports broadcasting and his willingness to share his experiences with Brady.
Their growing friendship and professional rapport bode well for the future of Fox’s NFL coverage, promising an engaging and insightful experience for viewers as they transition into their new roles.
