From Scrutinised Rookie to Most Improved Commentator
Tom Brady, the legendary three-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has received unexpected praise from his Fox Sports colleague Erin Andrews, who has named him her pick for 'Most Improved' commentator. This endorsement comes after Brady faced intense scrutiny during his debut season in the broadcasting booth last year.
Andrews, a respected sideline reporter, shared her thoughts with Travis and Jason Kelce on their popular podcast, New Heights. She reflected on the immense pressure Brady was under, stating, 'I think he was the most scrutinized person to get into a booth, especially last year, right?' She expressed her pride in his progress, a significant vote of confidence from within the network.
A Rocky Start and a Lucrative Deal
Brady's move into the Fox Sports booth last season marked the beginning of a monumental 10-year, $375 million contract that positioned him as the network's lead colour commentator. However, unlike his fairy-tale start as an NFL starter, which culminated in a Super Bowl victory, his broadcasting career was met with widespread criticism from fans.
His initial challenges were compounded by a perceived conflict of interest due to his role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. His presence in rival teams' training facilities raised concerns across the league, leading the NFL to subsequently restrict his access. Despite this, critics continued to target his on-air delivery, word choice, and occasional mistakes.
Night and Day Improvement
Addressing the critics, Andrews noted, 'Everyone has their opinion, and they let it be known what they thought of him.' However, she highlighted a dramatic improvement in his performance this season. She recalled a specific moment of realisation while watching a replay of a game from Brady's fourth week last season.
'I texted TB and I just said: "Wow, listening to you in this game, which was your fourth game of the season versus now, it's just night and day,"' Andrews explained. She admitted she was not surprised, given Brady's legendary work ethic, but was astounded by the speed of his progress. 'I'm more annoyed about how good he's gotten and how quickly. I'm like: "Come on. Do you do everything well? This is crazy. And you look fantastic."'
The conversation took a light-hearted turn when Jason Kelce agreed, jokingly demanding to know Brady's secrets for his hair and skin. Andrews pointed out the simple reason: 'He's not going to bars, Jason.' To which the retired Eagles star humorously replied, 'I'm not willing to give that up.'
Brady, alongside his play-by-play partner Kevin Burkhardt, is set to continue his improved form this Thursday in Detroit, where they will call the Thanksgiving Day game between the Lions and the Green Bay Packers.
