FOX NFL Sunday got their playful jabs in with NFL broadcaster Tom Brady.
The New England Patriots icon appeared on Saturday’s edition of Fox NFL Pregame ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers–Baltimore Ravens Week 16 matchup.
The Fox NFL show brought on Brady and play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt who were both on the call of the divisional showdown in Baltimore.
Before the two analyzed the game, Fox NFL Pregame showed a clip of the show’s stars’ names on stockings for the Christmas season.
Two of the stockings also showed Burkhardt and Brady’s names, and host Curt Menefee informed TV viewers that the network made sure to add something specific to the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s stocking, which said ‘The Goat.’
“Tom Brady‘s stocking this year, we put some throat lozenges in [it] because the last couple of weeks [has] been a struggle [for him],” Menefee said as a video showed throat cough drops being placed into Brady’s stocking.
“This TV thing is not as easy as you think.”
Fox NFL Sunday stars Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long laughed at the joke along with Burkhardt and Brady.
“Tom had the most hot teas he ever had in his life last week,” Burkhardt spoke about Brady’s sickness struggles.
Brady laughed and smiled throughout the sequence but didn’t respond to the joke.
The segment then shifted to a discussion about the NFL game.
Brady’s voice appeared to be much better compared to recent TV broadcasts.
During the call of the Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills game in Week 14, the former quarterback’s voice was not at 100 percent.
The 47-year-old Brady’s commentary was noticeably rough and raspy.
And he had to try and clear his throat numerous times throughout the commentary.
Fans at the time noticed Brady had difficulties with his voice.
“The GOAT is . . . hoarse today. Tom Brady is fighting some type of ailment. He’s a mix of Greg Olsen and frazzled Tony Romo,” one commented.
“Tom Brady has just about blown his voice out calling this game,” a second wrote.
“Someone get my guy Tom Brady a Cough drop and some hot tea with lemon and honey,” a second added.
“Tom Brady’s voice is terrible today. Homeboy is sick with what I had,” a fourth said.
Brady is in the first season as an NFL broadcaster.
He has a 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox.
