Tom Brady faces even more pressure to hit the ground running when his $375 million contract with Fox begins next season.
That’s because his network predecessor, Greg Olsen, won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst for the second year in a row on Tuesday night.
Olsen, who played in the NFL for 14 seasons, was brutally demoted by Fox to make way for the seven-time Super Bowl winner in the booth next season.
This despite Olsen’s exceptional talent for the job and the fact that he has formed an impressive on-air relationship with play-by-play caller Kevin Burkhardt.
Olsen beat out competitors including Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Bill Raftery to win the award. In accepting it, Olsen also admitted, “I don’t know what the future holds” now that Brady has taken his place.
Greg Olsen won the Sports Emmy Award again on Tuesday, putting pressure on Tom Brady
Olsen was brutally demoted by Fox to make way for the seven-time Super Bowl winner
Taking the stage at the ceremony in New York, Olsen said: ‘Thank you all so much. I apreciate it.
‘I think there are a lot of people wondering what I’m going to say now. Coming in tonight, people were asking me, “what’s your biggest threat to your future in business?” and everyone says “oh Brady.” I think he’s Andy from Toy Story.
“I think if he comes in then Collinsworth, Aikman, we’ll be dead.”
‘I really appreciate it. I didn’t have the opportunity to come last year and I said that if I was ever nominated again I would come. I have to bring my beautiful wife, Cara, for a couple of days in the city. She’s great.
“I spent my entire life being a football kid, I grew up as the son of a high school coach, all I ever wanted to do was be in football as a player, as a kid and now be able to share that in millions of homes every weekend.” of the week and share my love for the game and my passion.
‘The way I see it, the way I call it has been a marvel. So many nominees in my category. I grew up watching you. You called my games. Cris (Collinsworth) I remember doing production meetings with you for 15 years.
‘I’ve been very fortunate to work with incredible people, almost all of them are nominated tonight. Our entire team at Fox has been incredible.
‘I don’t know what the future holds. The only thing I know is that I love talking about football. I love studying it. I love seeing where the game goes. Wherever it takes me, whatever the level, I am now more committed to football.
Olsen will be replaced by Brady as FOX’s lead NFL analyst, working alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
‘My wife lets me chase this every weekend after 15 years of a strange life of moving around the country playing, I now fly around the country calling the game. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘I appreciate you guys. Two consecutive years. This is great and I look forward to what’s next. Thank you so much.’
Olsen recently revealed that Brady approached her for advice as she prepares for a career in broadcasting.
While Brady may have landed Olsen’s spot as FOX’s top NFL analyst, the former Panthers star held no grudges and was more than willing to give his thoughts to the seven-time Super Bowl winner.
In an interview with USA Today, Olsen revealed that she met with Brady and reiterated the challenges of being in the broadcast booth.
“I had a chance to talk to Tom a couple of weeks ago, and he was just grilling me on the preparation and the industry and what to expect and all that,” Olsen shared.
‘Then I do not know. Each one has their own journey in sports broadcasting.
‘I think everyone thinks it’s easy. I think everyone thinks about getting up there and calling a live football game for three hours, spontaneously and being able to get in, get out, deal with the flow of the game, the players, the schemes, the terminology.’
Brady recently reached out to Olsen for advice as he prepares to begin a career in broadcasting.
“A lot of things happen during a game and I think some guys really transition well and do it pretty quickly, while others don’t,” he added. “We have seen mixed results in recent years.”
Brady will begin his television career in September after securing a lucrative 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX. The retired quarterback will team with Burkhardt in the FOX broadcast booth.
Many felt Olsen was unfairly sidelined to make room for Brady despite showing off his insightful analysis and commentary ability alongside Burkhardt.
However, Oslen praised Brady’s playing career as he embarked on his new media venture.
“His playing career, his resume and all that is historic,” Olsen said of Brady.
‘So, we’ll see how the year goes. I don’t think there’s any real correlation between being a great player or an average player and how that correlates with being a great broadcaster or an average broadcaster.
‘I think we’ve seen examples at both ends of that spectrum. “Then we’ll see how it all plays out.”
