Jason Kelce has revealed why former NFL stars need time to adapt to roles in the broadcast booth.
The Hall of Fame-bound ex-center and eight-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady both moved behind the camera ahead of the 2024 season.
Jason Kelce discusses his second appearance in the ESPN booth
Brady, in particular, has had to deal with sky-high expectations after agreeing a 10-year deal worth $375million with FOX Sports.
His performances have come under fire on social media but Kelce – who is two weeks into his own stint in the ESPN booth – highlighted the difficulties both men are facing.
Travis Kelce discussed how proud he was to see his brother alongside legendary broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck for the Atlanta Falcons’ shock win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“First week, I was definitely nervous. This week, there was so much going on, I was a bit nervous,” Jason explained on the latest episode of the siblings’ New Heights Podcast.
“It’s interesting being up there, you’re trying to say the right thing and get things and formulate responses in real time. It’s difficult.
“There’s a whole new respect for anybody who does this.
“Pre-show is difficult, the booth, Joe and Troy, going up there with those guys, trying to fit in.
“You don’t wan’t to overstep. There’s also a chemistry calling a game between the play-by-play and the color guy.
“They have it down better than anybody.”
Travis pointed out that his brother was right to want to be coached by his experienced colleagues, but also told Eagles legend Jason to be himself.
ESPNKelce appeared alongside Aikman and Buck[/caption]
Brady is still learning the ropes as a broadcaster
“Trust your gut,” he said.
“You’re a fun guy to listen to and while the Falcons fans probably didn’t want to hear you chanting ‘Eagles’ and doing all that, you can’t tell me they weren’t enjoying that s***!”
talkSPORT’S Brian T. Smith and Will Gavin thought Brady fared poorly on his FOX debut.
But they insisted his Week 2 performance on the call for the New Orleans Saints‘ win over the Dallas Cowboys showed promise.
“Tip of the cap to Tom Brady, who obviously listened and watched
talkSPORT End Zone and read my tweets,” Smith told new YouTube show Run Down.
“Tom Brady was much improved in Week 2. It will be a slow build
for him so we could have fun with Brady and say how horrible he was and he should be benched.
“But tip of the cap to him, Tom Brady was a lot better in Week 2.”
Gavin pointed out one brutally blunt moment that showed off the personality that could make Brady a star.
“I just need a bit more insight, that’s all I’m looking for,” he explained.
“It’s still a bit vanilla at times. There was one great moment where a receiver slipped on a catch and they asked Tom Brady, ‘Would you go back to him?’
“The vanilla answer would be, ‘Yeah you always trust your guys, you want to throw to him next if you can build his confidence back up.’
“And he went, ‘No he fell over I’m not going back to that guy the
rest of the game. He’s not getting another target.’”
Brady’s Week 3 assignment has not yet been revealed but fans will be hoping the 47-year-old and Kelce continue to hit their stride.
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