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.
