TIM HOWARD: My vital piece of advice to Tom Brady and Jason Kelce… and what they must do to succeed in their multi-million dollar TV careers

I remember covering my very first game for NBC. It was 2013. Stamford Bridge. Manchester City vs. Chelsea. The cameras came on… and? My legs were shaking.

It’s easy not to talk to anyone. But on live TV, everything has to be buttoned up. Everything has to be right on time. It’s a whole different ballgame — just like Jason Kelce and Tom Brady are starting to discover.

The former Eagles center said “t***” in his very first sentence on ESPN and Brady received a lot of criticism after his FOX Sports debut.

I never watched my first match again. I leave it where it belongs – in the archives! But I’m still here, 11 years later.

Brady is one game into his 10-year, $375 million deal as FOX’s color commentator, and Kelce is ESPN’s new NFL analyst. Two great players, two great jobs.

Both Jason Kelce and Tom Brady have moved into broadcasting for the 2024 NFL season

DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard has built a successful career as an NBC Sports analyst

In some ways, broadcasting is no different than playing: the same nerves kick in before a big game. The big difference? When you’re on a team, the spotlight is spread out over the entire group. But behind the mic, once that red light goes on, it’s your turn.

I’ve had OCD and Tourette’s since I was a kid. But when I decided to go from the field to the studio, the biggest adjustment was understanding my cadence and my voice: how do I want to come across to the viewer? What tone do I use? How loud do I want to be?

That’s not something you think about in everyday life. That’s what Kelce and Brady have to figure out at work now.

The former quarterback was going to come under fire anyway. He gets so much criticism and creates so much hype. I thought he did a good job, but he could have been flawless and it wouldn’t have mattered. People would have found something to criticize.

I still get abused by fans, but I stopped caring about it a long time ago. I realized something important once: as long as my employers keep giving me contracts, as long as they keep praising me, that’s all that matters. That’s the case now too.

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback ever

Kelce (No. 62) was a center for the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 years before moving to television

This career change should be a bit smoother for Kelce. Not only because he’ll be sitting behind a desk instead of reporting the game live. But also because broadcasting is right up his alley.

Like his brother Travis, Kelce is a big character who appeals to the masses. Unfortunately, that only gets you so far on TV. The rest comes from hard work.

When I was a player, my routine was dominated by rituals and superstitions. I never discovered what difference they really made – that was a risk I was not prepared to take! Now, as an analyst, it is no different.

I make sure I’m prepared on every level. I have three times as many notes as I’ll ever need on the radio. I’m locked in every Thursday and Friday. Sometimes even on Wednesdays. I watch press conferences, interviews, highlights, movies. Everything.

I was warned very early on: prepare more than you’ll ever need. I’ve remembered that and I’m sticking to it. When I first started, I also leaned on the people around me at NBC – particularly Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe.

Former goalkeeper Howard was recently inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame

Howard is pictured with fellow NBC analysts Robbie Earle (center) and Robbie Mustoe (right)

I looked at them and then asked them: How do I handle this situation? Would you suggest a different route? If they liked what they saw, they would say. And if they didn’t like it? Then they would let me know.

The bosses at NBC are also very hands-on. They don’t let you fail – if something doesn’t work? They tell you and show you how to do it differently.

So my number one piece of advice for Brady and Kelce? Lean on your co-hosts and find a good rhythm. Once you do, it’s game over.

I have no doubt that Jason’s stock will continue to rise. He could become one of the great personalities of American television. Why? He’s real. He takes his shirt off. He drinks beer. People want that and people like that.

And Brady? Well, he went from the 199th draft pick to the most successful quarterback of all time.

So I have no doubt that he’s going to be great. He’s such a confident guy that once he gets more reps under his belt, he’s going to find his voice and it’s going to be smooth sailing. Honestly, once Brady finds his groove, there’s going to be no stopping him.