Greg Olsen Has Classy Message For Tom Brady Ahead Of Week 2 Game
09/15/2024 12:51 PM
Tom Brady's arrival at FOX may have slid Greg Olsen to the network's "B" team, but the former NFL tight end couldn't be rooting any harder for the GOAT's success.
Sitting down for an interview with The Athletic, Olsen said that he's happy to have Brady onboard and that there's room for everybody to win at the network.
"I want him to do well. I want him to succeed. I want him to feel I'm a good teammate. It's no different than if he came into the locker room when I was a player and we happened to play the same position," Olsen shared.
"My success is not contingent upon Tom. Tom being really good doesn't make me less good, and Tom being bad doesn't make me better," the 39-year-old continued. "FOX has two top teams, and that's how I view it. But I've talked to [on-air partner] Joe [Davis] about this: I want people to think that Joe and I are the best crew on television. It doesn't matter that we're the 'B' crew."
Olsen was a beloved commentator alongside Brady's new partner Kevin Burkhardt. The pair appeared to have great chemistry and Olsen even took home a Sports Emmy this May for his performance on-air.
But FOX didn't sign Tom to a 10-year, $375 million contract for him not to be headlining the biggest games the network has to offer.
Even with his perceived demotion, Olsen said that he's been a shoulder to lean on for Brady as he makes the adjustment to live television.
"I told him, 'Dude, I'm here to help in whatever way I can. I haven't been doing this for 20 years, but more so than any of the other guys in the industry to a degree, I understand the transition that you're making because it's the same transition that I did.' You go straight from playing to all of a sudden you're calling the Super Bowl and the top games of the week. I think I have a perspective that he can rely on," Olsen explained.
Things were a little shaky for Brady in Week 1's game between the Cowboys and Browns. He'll look to get a little better each week starting with today's game in Dallas vs. the Saints.
Related: FOX Reportedly Makes Decision On Tom Brady, Super Bowl
