Iconic sportscaster Erin Andrews shared why legendary quarterback Tom Brady is an inspiration to trailblazers in their 40s.
When Tom Brady retired, it sent a shockwave through the NFL. Patriots fans cried. Every fan spurned by his fortitude rejoiced. And Erin Andrews wishes she could interview him after games ad infinitum.
“It’s a bummer,” Andrews told FanSided concerning Brady’s retirement. “I’ve been really vocal about that. I didn’t want it to happen. I mean, everybody is like, ‘Alright, let’s move on,’ but no, I like having him around.”
Andrews is in a unique position to appreciate Brady’s success: the 44-year-old quarterback is nine months older than Fox’s lead sideline reporter.
“I haven’t said this anywhere, but he’s 44, I’m 43. You know how badass that is to cheer on somebody that makes mid-40s look so good and so fresh? Good for you! Like, don’t leave. Come on. He’s my inspiration.”
Erin Andrews celebrates Tom Brady’s success at 44 upon his retirement
While Brady was appearing in Super Bowls, Andrews was making significant career changes of her own. She began as a freelance reporter for Fox Sports Florida in 2000, joined ESPN in 2004, then moved to Fox in 2012. Today, she is the lead sideline reporter for Fox’s NFL broadcasting team, a journalistic counterpart to Brady’s success. But as the years go by and the accolades mount up, people have questioned both Brady and Andrews when they’re hanging it up.
Back in 2018, Brady told former teammate-turned-analyst Rodney Harrison that being doubted early in his career drove him to keep playing. “Now it’s like, ‘Wait a minute — now you guys want want me to stop playing?’ No, this is when I’m having fun.” Brady, who was 41 at the time, went on to win two more Super Bowls following that interview.
Andrews has faced similar questions as an integral component of NFL on FOX broadcasts.
“I’m older in the industry. People are like, ‘Oh, how long you want to be doing this?’” Andrews said. “What do you mean? Tom Brady’s 44 winning Super Bowls. Let’s go. It’s another reason why I don’t want him to leave.”
“Enough about you, more about me,” Andrews joked. “Let’s do this together. What’s happening?”
Andrews, who grew up in the Tampa Bay area and once broadcasted from Raymond James Stadium during a high school internship, believes that Brady has another ring in him if he decides to come back.
“He could win another one for anyone,” Andrews said.
“I’m being selfish. It’s fun to cover him. I love conference calls with him. I love seeing how his other teammates react to him, it’d be great.”
Andrews respects Brady’s decision to build his post-football brand as he grows his newly-debuted eponymous clothing line, BRADY, as well as an NFT venture in Autograph.
“As much as I’m going on and on, I respect his decision. I want him to be with his family. I know he has other avenues to explore business-wise so… Nah, forget about that, just come back. What are you doing? Why are you doing this to me?”