Cameras caught Tom Brady having an awkward interaction with rules analyst Mike Pereira during the former’s broadcasting debut on FOX.
Tom Brady made his long-awaited and highly-anticipated broadcasting debut for FOX Sports on Sunday afternoon, calling the Cleveland Browns’ home game against the Dallas Cowboys with Kevin Burkhardt and Erin Andrews.
During the first half, cameras cut to the broadcast booth to show Brady, Burkhardt and Pereira. The seven-time Super Bowl champion eyed a fist-pump from Pereira, who started to look away just as Brady extended his arm.
Brady quickly attempted to break the awkward moment by uttering, “Don’t leave me hanging”, with Pereira finally completing the fist-pump before telling his colleagues he was happy to be with them:
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
While many fans were highly critical of Tom Brady’s debut performance, that little mishap hilariously falls on Pereira rather than the legendary NFL quarterback.
The 47-year-old Brady is beginning the first of a 10-year, $375 million contract he signed with FOX Sports in 2022 before he began his final NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady was immediately moved to the network’s top commentary team with Burkhardt and Andrews, replacing the popular Greg Olsen. The latter, who spent two years with Burkhardt and Andrews, was moved to the No. 2 team with Joe Davis.
The three-time league MVP will also call Super Bowl 59 with Andrews and Burkhardt in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb. 11.
Tom Brady Will Only Improve In The Booth
Regardless of how you feel about Brady’s performance in the booth today, the bottom line is that he’ll only get better as he gains more experience.
It also didn’t help Brady that the Browns failed to show up for Sunday’s home game, forcing the legendary signal-caller to sound excited during a humiliating blowout game. So try not to rush to judgment on Brady’s first performance in the booth.
