Tom Brady Roasted for His 'NFL on Fox' Broadcasting Debut
Tom Brady kicked off his new broadcasting gig with NFL on Fox on Sunday, but the former star Patriots quarterback struggled to find his footing, if the reception from fans was any indication.
The 47-year-old made his debut alongside his new partner Kevin Burkhart for the Week 1 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns. But right off the bat, his delivery came off stilted and awkward, with clumsy pauses between words.
"We’re here, it’s been quite a journey, but I love being your partner,” Brady said after being introduced by Burkhart, before turning their attention to the respective team quarterbacks. "Dak [Prescott] signed the largest contract in the history of the NFL, now he's gotta go out there and earn it," he continued, stumbling over his words a few times.
The first moments of @TomBrady's broadcasting debut ???? (via @NFLonFOX)
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
????: #DALvsCLE on FOX
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/yeEfYMwJw8
Later, Brady managed to fumble a fist bump with longtime Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira, who was occupied reviewing something on a screen in front of him. "Oh, don’t leave me hanging!” Brady exclaimed awkwardly, after several painful seconds in which he held his fist out.
Mike Pereira and Tom Brady's first booth interaction could have gone a little smoother... pic.twitter.com/RmJYFF1qQj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2024
To be fair, it was only his first day on the job. But given Brady's hefty $375 million contract to provide lead color commentary—not to mention the fact that Burkhart's former partner, Greg Olsen, was bumped down to the number two team coverage to accommodate him—the reaction on social media was swift and merciless.
"I don't want to overreact to week 1 but Tom Brady is the worst announcer in the NFL," deadpanned one user, while another quipped: "Finally, something Tom Brady f--king sucks at."
I don't want to overreact to week 1 but Tom Brady is the worst announcer in the NFL.
— Dr. Jamie Jakes (@jamjks) September 8, 2024
Finally, something Tom Brady fucking sucks at
— Tom Thakkar (@TomAThakkar) September 8, 2024
Others made light of his wooden delivery and pauses between words, with some calling for justice for Olsen.
Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady actually say words before dropping $300 million on him.
— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) September 8, 2024
Tom Brady can’t seem to form any sentences that have any sort of normal cadence to them
— Luka Donthičć (@landahoy14) September 8, 2024
I don’t know how else to say it but Tom Brady does not have a voice that is meant to be heard without seeing his face.
— Jared Plaudis (@JaredPlaudis) September 8, 2024
I’ve heard enough of Tom Brady, justice for Greg Olsen
— Molly (@FSUmollz) September 8, 2024
I’ll say Tom Brady is absolutely dog shit and Fox should be ashamed of what they did to Greg Olsen
— Dave (@BringOutDaGongs) September 8, 2024
Time will tell whether Brady manages to find his groove, or whether this will indeed end up being a costly mistake for Fox Sports. In either case, they're stuck with him now. Or, unless he decides to come out of retirement again, that is.