Shaquille O’Neal, a veteran sports analyst for TNT, has shared valuable advice with NFL legend Tom Brady, who is facing challenges in his new role as a football broadcaster.
Shaq, who transitioned to sports broadcasting in 2011, is now one of the most prominent analysts in the industry, earning more in broadcasting than during his NBA career.
After noticing Brady‘s struggles during his broadcast debut, O’Neal opened up about his own experiences and offered guidance to help the NFL icon find his footing.
Brady‘s debut as an NFL analyst for Fox, which took place during the Dallas Cowboys‘ win over the Cleveland Browns, attracted significant attention but for mixed reasons. Many fans observed that Brady appeared uncomfortable and awkward in his new role.
O’Neal, reflecting on his own journey in broadcasting, suggested that Brady should focus on being himself. “Just be yourself,” Shaq said, explaining that embracing his authentic personality was the key to his own success as a broadcaster.
Shaq’s early foray into broadcasting
Shaq shared how, early in his broadcasting career, he initially tried to emulate seasoned professionals like Ernie Johnson. He even dubbed himself “Shaq Gumbel” in a bid to appear more polished.
However, a conversation with his producer, Tim Kiely, encouraged him to drop the act and embrace his natural style. Once he started being true to himself, Shaq said, he “really started to blossom” in his role as an analyst.
Despite the mixed feedback, Brady has remained positive about his broadcasting debut, describing it as “fun” but acknowledging that he has areas to improve.
His somewhat awkward interaction with Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira was widely noted, but Brady is focused on learning from the experience as he gears up for his next game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints.
Shaq’s connection with Brady extends beyond broadcasting. In 2022, when Brady announced his retirement, O’Neal publicly urged him to play “one more year.”
Now, Shaq is offering support in Brady’s new venture, confident that the NFL legend will find his groove in broadcasting-just as Shaq did. With time and confidence, Brady is expected to excel in this next chapter of his career.
