Football Night from the Big Apple
September 14th, 2009
Sunday was my first show as an on-air analyst for NBC’s Football Night In America. It was also the first time since 1976 that I wasn’t at a stadium on opening weekend of the NFL season and, I’ll have to say, it was a little strange for me. It was also different working in New York City. I got up Sunday morning and, as I did when I was coaching, I went for a walk. It was unbelievable to be able to walk through Central Park, down Broadway and then finally go to the studio at Rockefeller Center.
Watching a pre-game show at home, I never dreamed how many people were involved in putting it together. But there are so many people—from camera crew and stage crew, video and audio technicians and directors, to make-up and wardrobe staff, to statisticians and catering. You need that catering too, because it’s a long day.
We got there shortly before noon for our production meeting to discuss last minute details, and then began watching the 1p.m. games. During those games we would look for story lines and pull highlights to support what we wanted to say. It’s a lot of fun, but not as easy as you’d think to watch nine games at the same time.
Once the early games are finished and the highlight packages are put together you get dressed, go to make-up, and then head to the set to rehearse your segments—all the while trying to keep an eye on the 4:00 o’clock games.
As those games were winding down, we went on the air and our 90-minute show seemed like it was about 15 minutes. Everything happens so fast. I got to telestrate a play from the Colts game and that was a lot of fun. Then it was time to watch our night game and be ready to comment again at half time and post game. We had a great game between Chicago and Green Bay that went down to the final minute. When it was over you realize that it’s midnight and you’ve been in the studio 12 hours.
I don’t really know how I did, but my director, Sam Flood, was happy with the show. Sam has been working with Rodney Harrison and me for a couple of months to get us ready, and he’s a great teacher. Just like a football team, we will watch the tape of our broadcast, look for mistakes and try to improve next week.
It was close to 1a.m. when I finally got back to the hotel to pack and get ready for a 6 a.m. taxi to the airport. But the good news is I’ll be back in Tampa by noon on Monday and get to spend the week at home and enjoy my family. And, despite not being on the sidelines for the first time in over 30 years, I really didn’t miss coaching. I’m already looking forward to next week when we’ve got a great game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.
September 14th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hey Tony,
Interesting article about your first day as a sports commentator, you did a great job so don’t sterss about it!
When I read that you had to watch 9 of the 1 p.m. games, I bet it was hard to take your eyes off the Colts game and focus on the others, especially as it was so close. You were probably laughing at the Bucs who were getting their butts kicked by the Cowboys!
Anyway, I look forward to seeing more of you on Sunday nights. I’m sure you are looking forward to the Colts Sunday night games, I see there are a couple of them this season.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Great job Tony, and thanks for sharing the experience here!
Remember to relax up there, and have fun with it!
Nate in Utah
September 14th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Great job Tony and as Nate said, thank you for sharing your experience. You’re very natural in your delivery and your experience helps the audience understand the game even more. Have fun, enjoy the week with your family and we look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Marc in Denver
September 15th, 2009 at 1:57 am
Coach,
I didn’t get to watch much of your pre-game stuff as I was still on the way home from Indy, but I’m sure you performed well and still will find room for improvement. Thank you for writing. That way those of us who feel like we know you, but don’t really, can see how you are doing.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Sounds like a crazy day, but you did GREAT!!! I really enjoyed watching you. We missed you on the sidelines, but Coach Cauldwell got his first W, and that was GREAT to see too!!!
September 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I watched your show and thought you did a good job. I’m helping to coach my son’s first grade team, so I appreciate your insights into play-calling and the game. To tell the truth, I could use all the help I can get since I have never coached before. Thanks!
September 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Coach D,
I am a huge fan of the Colts (P Manning in particular). I enjoyed watching the breakdown of the Colts play. As usual, you did a good job throughout the telecast. In addition, thanks for not being afraid to show your morals and values about the Lord. So many people are these days and for them to see an icon like you…speaking about the one and only God…it’s awesome.
Josh
September 15th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Tony, I read your forward in Joe Gibbs book and I got a question for ya: do you think it’s ever good to consider whether or not your deepest beliefs might bot be true? I ask this because you are an incredibly moral person, and I find it more interesting to read about how morality works in the brain from the new york times science section that how “some expert” on “the new testament” thinks morality works and how we should behave – as an example in Coach Gibbs book.
It terribly dissapoints me to see good people influenced by these ideas, and I’d rather live in die in a world where its fun to realize the floor beneath is zooming 650 million mph thru space, there’s more bacteria in your mouth than humans that have ever existed, you have ecoli doing your digestion in your interestines with their own societies and heirarchy, that brain diseases are the results of malfuctions and mishaps, rather than “evils” or “punishment from the lord”. etc. etc. Also it’s more satisfying to realize that some people are overly ambition, or polygamous, etc. are not this way by choice, but have many sudden alterations in circuit mechanisms responsible for drive and solidfying a mongamous relationship. There’s a study showing alteration to 1 receptor can turn a monogamous male into a “pimp” quite literally – unable to bond. If you don’t believe it, search the literature, and ask around. “Seek and ye shall find”. The world is pretty neat when you just stop thinking it works according to your beliefs, it’s much harder to seek out the opposite opinion and see if your wrong. Anyway, your my favorite coach ever, and I hope you consider my views. Cheers.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:05 am
Tony. Do you recall Jennifer Rothschild leading worship for the FCA Coaches camp in Blackmountain many years ago. We loved you and Lauren then (and your kids) and even more now. We still recall precious James winning the I am a C…I am a CH..competetion on stage. Sorry we have not stayed in touch. We are following you on your blog now and hope to catch up with Lauren. Loved your fist show on Sunday night. You did a great job. Please pass along Jennifer’s email to Lauren if you care to. Blessings Philip and Jennifer Rothschild
September 28th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Tony it is really great to see such a strong man of God in the public eye. Thank you for being such a good role model. I am a huge Colts fan and was really sad you left as their coach. But you have an even bigger job to share Christ’s love in your ministry. God Bless. John Weaver
June 11th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
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