Tom Brady was under an intense microscope for his broadcasting debut Sunday on Fox — even from his television peers.
Scott Hanson, who hosts NFL Network’s RedZone coverage every Sunday during the season, offered a word of advice for the seven-time Super Bowl champion as the former QB was discussing a potential 71-yard field-goal attempt by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey four seconds before halftime against the Browns.
When the Browns called timeout, Brady said, “Maybe everyone’s gonna rethink this one.”
That prompted Hanson to say, “Oh come on, Brady’s gotta get more excited than that in the booth.”
The comment may have gone unnoticed had it been directed at any other broadcaster, but all eyes were on Brady’s debut.
Hanson apologized to Brady on Monday morning.
“This was unfair & inconsiderate by me. Yes, I was saying it tongue in cheek – but I didn’t calculate how it may come across,” Hanson wrote on X. “@TomBrady, I apologize. I promise I am rooting you on in this new venture!”
Aubrey had connected on a 66-yarder, which would’ve tied the NFL record, but the play was whistled dead before the kick due to a delay-of-game penalty.
The Cowboys then decided not to go for the 71-yarder as Dak Prescott, fresh off agreeing to his record $240 million contract, threw an incomplete pass to finish the half.
There wasn’t a close game for Brady to call down the stretch as the Cowboys took a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter and went on to win 33-17.
It was the first NFL game Brady called as part of Fox’s top booth with Kevin Burkhardt since signing a $375 million contract with the network.
There were times during the broadcast when Brady paused mid-sentence as he tried to figure out exactly what he wanted to convey to the audience.
There was also an awkward moment in the booth with Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira, who had turned his head away as Brady tried to fist-bump him.
“Good to see you, buddy,” Brady said. “Oh, don’t leave me hanging.”
Pereira did end up giving Brady the fist-bump.