Tom Brady says he tries to focus on the positive as a broadcaster: 'It's not about this harsh critique'

Yahoo

a day ago

Tom Brady wants to be an honest broadcaster, but don't expect to see him ripping your favorite team's quarterback after a missed read. Brady said he wants to focus on player greatness, and isn't interested in "harsh critique" now that he's in the booth.
Brady made those comments during an interview with Complex. After being asked a question about Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brady opened up about how he views his role as a broadcaster.
"The one position I'm in now as broadcaster, I do feel a responsibility, A, to tell the fans what I see and be honest and upfront about everything. But also realize what these guys are doing on the field is extremely difficult. It's a high level of skill. You're looking at any of the 32 teams who have a starting quarterback out there, that guy is one of the best in the world at what he does. Do they make the right plays all the time? Certainly not. By the way, neither did I.
"I think you have to have this context and perspective. You realize that it's not about this harsh critique and that's not really what it's all about anyway. To me, it's more about let's point out the greatness of these individual players ... That's what I want to do on TV."
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Brady's first season as a broadcaster was mixed. He struggled early, though did manage to deliver an honest and emotional assessment of the Chiefs' struggles in the Super Bowl. To put it in football terms, he looked like a rookie out there most of the time, but occasionally showed flashes of promise.
While Brady's comments about shying away from "harsh critique" might rub some the wrong way, that's not really the role broadcasters have filled in recent years. The best ones elevate games by breaking down individual plays or telling smart anecdotes that put fans in a player's mindset. You don't typically hear them say things like, "Wow, that was a terrible pass."
Of course, there's a fine line to walk between being mean and being honest. Nobody wants Brady — or any other broadcaster — to act like everyone's best friend in the booth. Pointing out why plays aren't working or why a team is struggling is an important duty, and sometimes that requires calling out a player for an inaccurate pass or an untimely drop.
Brady seems pretty committed to his new role, so it will be on him to show improvement in Year 2. That's certainly possible given Brady's experience and on-field excellence, but only if he's willing to actually be honest with viewers, especially when a team or player isn't performing well.