Tom Brady began his blockbuster multi-year contract with Fox on Sunday, but his broadcasting debut received less than favorable reviews.
Fans’ year-long wait to hear the seven-time Super Bowl winner make his announcing debut finally came to an end Sunday as the former quarterback began his next chapter in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns’ season-opening home game against the Dallas Cowboys marked the start of the 47-year-old’s 10-year, $375 million contract as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
However, it appeared his skills on the football field didn’t translate to the booth, as many fans were quick to criticize Brady’s debut on the microphone.
Within 20 minutes of the NFL legend making his inaugural announcement, social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had already called it “appalling.”
Tom Brady was criticized by NFL fans on social media for his broadcasting debut on Fox
The former quarterback began his 10-year, $375 million contract as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
“Tom Brady hasn’t stuttered this much since he told Gisele he had one more year left,” one user posted, referring to the former quarterback’s decision to come out of retirement for one more NFL season, which came months before his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
“Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady say words before spending $300 million on him,” another posted scathingly, while another echoed the criticism, adding: “Tom Brady can’t seem to form sentences that have any sort of normal cadence.”
“Tom Brady just said it’s hard to get 10 yards, but really hard to get 20. That’s what you can get with a $375 million analysis,” one joked.
Others echoed the sentiment, suggesting that Brady’s analysis was boring; one user wrote: “Tom Brady must be very interesting to listen to, because his speaking voice is not very pleasant to listen to. And so far, it isn’t.”
Throughout his glittering career on the field, Brady was named league MVP three times and Super Bowl MVP five times – the most of any player.
Brady is also the best playoff quarterback in the sport, holding the record for most games started, games won, passing touchdowns, passing yards (both in playoffs and in a single game).
His biggest accolades, seven Super Bowl rings, are the most by any player in league history.
However, many fans claimed that his talent ended the instant he walked off the field and onto the country’s television screens.
Within 20 minutes of the NFL legend making his initial announcement, fans were calling it “appalling.”
“I don’t want to overreact to Week 1, but Tom Brady is the worst broadcaster in the NFL,” one social media user said.
“Tom Brady finally found something he’s terrible at #NFLonFox,” another posted, while another added, “Fun day for Tony Romo. He’s finally better than Tom Brady at something.”
“Tom Brady hasn’t looked this uncomfortable since he faced the Giants in the Super Bowl,” said one of the many critics, referring to Brady and the Patriots’ shocking loss to the New York Giants in 2012.
Brady replaced Greg Olsen as Fox’s lead analyst and the former tight end was demoted to the No. 2 pick.
But NFL fans were already mourning Olsen’s absence from their prime-time broadcasts as many criticized Fox for firing the former Carolina Panthers player in favor of Brady.
“Damn Greg Olsen is way better than Tom Brady in the booth,” one said, while a second added: “I’ve heard enough about Tom Brady, justice for Greg Olsen.”
Many fans claimed that Brady’s talent ended the instant he walked off the field and appeared on television.
Brady replaced Greg Olsen as Fox’s lead analyst and the former tight end was demoted to the No. 2 pick.
“Tom Brady doesn’t seem comfortable in the booth yet,” a more sympathetic fan posted. “It’s understandable in his first game, but maybe that’s why they don’t take the top spot away from @gregolsen88?”
“I will say that Tom Brady is complete shit and Fox should be ashamed of what they did to Greg Olsen,” ranted one more furious user.
Brady’s move into the broadcast booth has been a long time in the making. After officially retiring from the NFL in 2023 for the second and final time, the former quarterback took a year off before beginning his television duties.
But, at least according to NFL fans, it seems the wait has been disappointing. Brady hopes to put the initial nerves and criticism behind him with the biggest game of all, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, awaiting him at the end of the season.