While Tom Brady showed Sunday he’s still a work in progress as an NFL analyst, he showed Monday he’s got a feel for dealing with criticism in his new line of work.
Brady seemed nervous and very tentative in his NFL on Fox debut calling the Dallas Cowboys-Cleveland Browns game. Many sports media personalities commented on his performance on social media. NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson, however, got in a mild jab at Brady during his show, saying “Brady has gotta get more excited than that in the booth” after the Cowboys lined up to attempt what would have been the longest field goal in NFL history.
Hanson had second thoughts about his comment on Monday. He reposted an Awful Announcing X post with his remark, along with an apology.
“This was unfair & inconsiderate by me,” Hanson wrote. “Yes, I was saying it tongue in cheek – but I didn’t calculate how it may come across. @TomBrady, I apologize. I promise I am rooting you on in this new venture!”
Brady offered a humble response to Hanson.
“This rookie appreciates you @scotthanson!” Brady wrote. “No apology necessary my man, life is too short to not have fun! We’re officially on 70 yarder watch and I’m gonna spike my headset when it happens.”
Here’s the play in question, where kicker Brandon Aubrey lined up for what would have been a 71-yard field-goal attempt before the Cowboys had second thoughts.
Brady faces huge, possibly unrealistic expectations this season in his first year of a 10-year, $375 million contract as Fox’s No. 1 NFL analyst. He’ll have to deal with plenty of criticism. It will help him to be humble and have a sense of humor. Because he’s not the GOAT anymore, at least in broadcasting terms. As he said, he’s a rookie.
[Tom Brady]