Former NFL superstar quarterback Tom Brady is now aiming to become a star commentator in the broadcast booth. His actual debut with FOX Sports takes place Sunday, when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Cleveland Browns in the opener for both teams.
But fans got a taste of Brady during halftime of the Texas vs. Michigan game, also on FOX. And he took some heat online for his ... well, performance.
"Appearing with Joel Klatt during halftime of the Texas-Michigan game on Fox, Brady seemed at times to be searching for words as he pivoted from what he wanted to say to what he actually said," wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
One example given by Florio was when Brady was asked about Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose career in Cleveland so far has been a disappointment.
"Deshaun wants to get out there and prove that . . . Cleveland made the investment in him and that he can come through when it matters," Brady said.
Florio offered another take.
"The pause was noticeable," he wrote. "Brady wanted to say what he was thinking. Watson has gotten a five-year fully guaranteed contract. He has failed to earn it. If he doesn't do it this year, Cleveland needs to think about cutting him a check for $92 million and telling him to hit the bricks.
"That's what Brady likely was thinking. (If not, he should have been.) Why not just say it?"
Others attacked his showing on social media, with one user saying that Brady "looks like a handsome vampire."
Such comparisons didn't end there. "When Tom Brady is near a carb, I bet he hisses like a vampire near garlic," wrote another.
Those comments are all a bit harsh — but the truth is, FOX is paying Brady big money to call it like he sees it. Hopefully for all involved he'll do just that in his first NFL season behind the mic.
