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    • Tom Brady’s broadcast debut was met with backlash and praise
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    Tom Brady’s broadcast debut was met with backlash and praise

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Depending on the reaction of football fans, Tom Brady was either the GOAT or the GOAT in his inaugural game as NFL commentator.

    The legendary quarterback of the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers served as co-commentator alongside experienced live commentator Kevin Burkhardt on Fox’s September 8 broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys’ 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

    Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns
    Tom Brady takes the field with his broadcast partner Kevin Burkhardt before his debut as a commentator for Fox at the Cowboys-Browns game.Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

    Fox announced in 2022 that it had signed Brady to a 10-year deal, reportedly worth a record $375 million, to become lead analyst on its premier NFL broadcast team.

    Burkhardt greeted him on the other side of the microphone before Sunday’s game.

    “You’re a broadcaster! How about that,” said Burkhardt.

    “We’re here,” Brady said, smiling. “It’s been quite a journey. I’m happy to be your partner.”

    Like any rookie in his first game, Brady tried to overcome his initial nerves and prepare for the broadcast.

    It began with an awkward interaction with Mike Pereira, the former NFL referee who now works as a Fox commentator and gives his opinion on replay challenges and penalty calls. Brady attempted to give Pereira a fist bump, but Pereira didn’t seem to understand the gesture.

    “Don’t let me down,” Brady said before Pereira punched him. “There you go.”

    Fans were divided about his move to the commentary booth after a record-breaking career in which he became the overall best quarterback in NFL history.

    Some fans felt that its broadcast performance needed to be improved.

    “Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady before spending $300 million on him,” someone wrote on X.

    “Is it me or was #TomBrady awful!” posted another.

    “Tom Brady is finally bad at something,” wrote another.

    “Tom Brady was pathetic,” commented another. “FOX made a mistake replacing Olsen with Brady. It was a boring show listening to Brady’s banal comments.”

    Others felt that Brady had some difficulties at the beginning but had a lot of potential.

    “I like Tom Brady in the locker room,” NFL Network reporter Jane Slater wrote on X. “That’s smart. He’s pushing and not yelling in fake excitement. Lets Kevin talk and then steps in. Simple, smart decision. Just my two cents.”

    “Tom Brady is getting beat up in his debut as a sportscaster on X,” Kansas City meteorologist Gary Lezak wrote on X. “I’ve spent 38 years in sports and he’s a rookie on his first day. I can tell he’s very nervous and this isn’t something that will get better immediately. He’s going to get a lot better, so give him some leeway. And let’s see how he improves over the next few weeks.”

    “I thought Tom Brady was good on the mic yesterday,” wrote one fan on X. “He let things flow a little, but over time he’ll learn when to make his points and let his partner take over. He obviously took it very seriously and it went well. Good first game.”

    Brady’s next game will be against the Dallas Cowboys when they face the New Orleans Saints on September 15 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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