'Tough son of a bitch:' The Lessons of Sam Darnold
Tom Brady didn't believe. Neither did the Jets... the Panthers... the Vikings. So, here's Sam Darnold one win away from a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Is the rest of the NFL paying attention?
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Our aim is to take you behind the curtain.
SAN FRANCISCO — Worlds collided for Tom Brady. The all-time great is a walking conflict of interest as both minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and Fox’s top color commentator on NFL games. As the Seattle Seahawks polished off a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship, it was time for play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt and Brady to rhapsodize on Sam Darnold’s dazzling performance.
Burkhardt referenced everything Darnold has endured. “People doubting you,” he said. “You won 14 games with Minnesota and they got rid of you.”
Brady chimed in. “He’s been a gunslinger,” the all-timer said. “He’s more explosive than surgical. Led the league in turnovers, but today absolutely flawless in his decision-making. So accurate.” The pitch of his voice then changed for effect. “There’s nothing better than playing your biggest game in the biggest moment of your life.”
With that, highlights started to loop on the screen. But honestly? Fox’s production team should’ve instead instructed a cameraman to slowly zoom into Brady’s face inside the broadcasting booth to the tune of that cheeky, circus-like Curb Your Enthusiasm theme song.
Last offseason — as the Raiders’ end-all, be-all quarterback authority — Brady wanted nothing to do with Darnold.