When Tom Brady steps into the broadcast booth this fall with Fox Sports, he plans to leave his trademark quarterback intensity on the sidelines.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion, set to become Fox’s lead NFL analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt, shared on the “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” podcast that he’s adjusting his approach to ensure the broadcast is engaging and enjoyable.
Brady acknowledges that analyzing games will come naturally to him given his extensive experience in the sport. “The analysis of what I’m actually seeing will be relatively straightforward for me,” he stated. However, he is conscious of not being overly critical or serious, a demeanor often seen during his 23-year playing career. “Sometimes I get a little too serious because I see myself as quarterback Tom Brady, as opposed to let’s enjoy a great game of football, Tom Brady,” he explained.
His main goal is to enhance the viewing experience for fans, aiming to balance his rigorous standards with a more relaxed, viewer-friendly commentary style. Brady noted, “I was tough on my teammates… I was fiery and competitive. I want to make sure that doesn’t — I’m very specific about how I think the game should be played.”
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Additionally, Brady expressed a desire to contribute positively to the sport and its community. “Part of the contribution to make is, how can I help other people be successful as well? How can I play a role in seeing other people achieve their goals and cross the finish line? So what wisdom can I impart on the game, people, coaches, refs fans that they can take from the things I’ve learned to say hey, ‘This can help me.'”
After agreeing to a 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports in 2022, Brady took a year off to prepare for this new role, which he believes was essential for making the transition from player to analyst.
He spent the time learning from the best in broadcasting, grateful for the advice and insights that have helped shape his approach.
Regarding handling feedback and criticism, Brady feels prepared, attributing his resilience to his lengthy football career. “I think that’s a great part and I think in a way, the 28 years of college and pro sports helped me develop a lot of thick skin,” he said.
Brady is set to make his broadcasting debut in the Week 1 game between the Browns and Cowboys in Cleveland on September 8.
His focus is clear: to ensure that he is true to himself and that he delivers his best to the team and the audience. “You may not like it I understand, it’s OK. But I’m just giving you my commentating, my analysis. So it’s really in the end, it’s like I played quarterback. It’s about satisfying me.”
