Last season Terry Bradshaw was forced to issue an apology after embarrassingly mistaking Rob Gronkowski for a guest presenter rather than recognising him as a permanent fixture on the ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ team. The veteran broadcaster returns for his 32nd campaign covering the NFL with FOX and will be joined at the desk by familiar faces Michael Strahan and Howie Long.
Curt Menefee steps back into his position as the ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ presenter, whilst Jay Glazer continues in his role as the programme’s insider. With NFL supporters having just learnt about the staggering expense of streaming every match next season, Jimmy Johnson has departed the programme following his retirement announcement.
Gronkowski has been promoted to a full-time pundit role, having featured regularly on the show during recent seasons.
Throughout the 2024 NFL campaign, Gronkowski served as a part-time panellist – appearing when Johnson was absent – whilst also contributing to additional programmes.
During one particular segment, Bradshaw was compelled to apologise after confusing established presenter Gronkowski with a temporary contributor.
The panel was analysing the Detroit Lions’ commanding 52-6 triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field when Bradshaw addressed Gronkowski, who returned to FOX’s coverage in 2022 after hanging up his boots with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as though he were merely covering for Johnson.
Bradshaw acknowledged his blunder when colleagues informed him that Gronkowski was indeed a regular member of the team, not simply a substitute.
“Okay, I made a mistake,” Bradshaw said. “All right, all right, I apologize, Gronk, you know I love you.”
He swiftly resumed his analysis, referencing Johnson’s mindset: “My point is – Jimmy had the same approach. Jimmy’s thing as a coach was, ‘Always respect your opponent’.
“No matter how, you say, inferior, always respect your opponent and don’t ever give them hope.”
Gronkowski initially joined FOX in 2019 but made his comeback to the broadcaster in 2022 to appear on both ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ and ‘FOX NFL Kickoff.’
His original stint at the network concluded when he reunited with Tom Brady to compete for the Buccaneers, where he secured his fourth Super Bowl triumph before hanging up his boots a year later.
The 36-year-old is now a permanent fixture of the ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ team after taking over from Super Bowl-winning coach Johnson, who made his return in March. He will be alongside the complete lineup, including Long and Bradshaw, who were founding presenters when the programme debuted 32 years ago.
On Friday, FOX Sports also revealed that its premier broadcasting squad – play-by-play commentator Kevin Burkhardt, pundit Brady, and touchline reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi – will handle the Week 1 commentary on Sept. 7 for the clash between the Washington Commanders and New York Giants.
The team will subsequently travel to Kansas City as the Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a spectacular Super Bowl LIX rematch.