Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady made his highly-anticipated debut on Sunday—not on the football field, but in the broadcasting booth.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion officially began his second act as FOX Sports' lead color commentator,
joining play-by-play partner Kevin Burkhardt. While the Dallas Cowboys secured a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland,
it was Brady's first game in the booth that drew much of the attention.
Kevin Burkhardt kicked things off with a friendly nod to his new partner, saying, "You're a broadcaster!
How about that?" Brady, ever the professional, responded with a smile, “We’re here. It’s been quite a journey. I’m excited to be your partner.”
Brady's debut performance was met with mixed reactions from viewers on social media. Much like a rookie quarterback's first game in the league, his first official day in the booth had its ups and downs.
Early in the broadcast, Brady seemed nervous, with noticeable hiccups in his rhythm, choppy delivery, and several moments of dead air that are usually filled with insightful commentary.
A slightly awkward moment highlighted his initial struggle to find his footing when he missed a fist bump from FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira.
As Pereira quipped, "Don't leave me hanging," it was clear that Brady was still adjusting to his new role
Despite these early jitters, some viewers appreciated Brady's honesty and humility in his first outing as a broadcaster
His passion for the game shone through, and many fans are hopeful that with time, he will grow into the role and bring the same level of excellence to the booth that he displayed on the field.