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Al Michaels believes that all of the people criticizing Tom Brady for his broadcasting are actually just jealous of the former quarterback. Which may make some wonder what his explanation is for why so many people have been critical of him as well?
Michaels, who himself has been taken to task by fans over the past two seasons for exhibiting what many see as a clear lack of enthusiasm when calling NFL games, shared his theory about Tom Brady this week on the Sports Media With Richard Deitsch podcast.
“In terms of Tom, jealousy is a very potent human emotion,” Al Michaels said. “And there are a lot of people who wanted to see Tom fail, because Tom has everything. Right?
“He’s got the resume in football. He lives a life that a lot of people would like to live. So he is going to take a lot of heat. My personal opinion, and I don’t really weigh in on announcers a lot, I think he’s done a very good job. And I think he’s gotten better and better, and I very much enjoy listening to him.
“So I hear, ‘Brady this, Brady that,’ but I’m telling you, when he’s doing a game, and I think he’s working terrifically well with Kevin Burkhardt, I think they make a really good combination. And I’m a fan. And I think Tom’s done yeoman work this year. And he’s gotten better and better.
“And knowing Tom, as I have through the years as a player and as a friend, he is gonna work his a— off. And he has. And you can tell he has. Despite the fact that he’s sort of limited because he can’t go to certain meetings, etcetera, etcetera. But that doesn’t mean he is not going to be as prepared as anybody. He knows enough ways to figure out what’s going on.
“So, anyway, I’ll just say this, whatever it is, I think it’s borne out of jealousy more than anything else.”
Al Michaels also added that he thinks it is the same thing with the criticisms of Tony Romo.
Now, whether Tom Brady lasts as long as Romo has, or even makes it through next year, before deciding he doesn’t want to be a broadcaster, is anyone’s guess.