By Richie Zyontz
FOX NFL Lead Producer
Behind the scenes with FOX’s NFL crew reveals the extensive journey between Tampa, Florida, and Santa Clara, California, spanning 2,800 miles and demanding 41 hours of continuous driving.
Before Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady could step into the broadcast booth for Sunday’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the logistics team had to ensure that their trucks made the long trek efficiently and securely.
[Related: More from Tom Brady | More from Richie Zyontz]
On the road again …
The drivers face the solitude of cross-country journeys, encountering numerous Cracker Barrel restaurants and traversing stretches of highway that seem to stretch on indefinitely.
For many on the FOX Sports team, this operation feels like family. Among them are the Fabulous Zecca Brothers, a dynamic duo with Mario capturing the action on camera and Paul managing the replays.
This week, another family played a significant role in the logistics. Kip Johnson and his daughter Kaye worked together on Interstate 40, transporting valuable equipment. The trip was smooth, and Kip reported that they are still on good terms after their lengthy hours on the road.
The father-daughter duo of Kip and Kaye Johnson tag-teamed their way across the country last week, hauling equipment from Tampa, Florida to Santa Clara, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Richie Zyontz)
Transporting equipment was not always such a large-scale operation. Before FOX entered the NFL scene in 1994, it was typical for networks to utilize only four cameras for their lesser games. Yes, just four!
During their pitch to the league, FOX executives committed to using a minimum of eight cameras for every broadcast.
Today, three decades later, the lead game on FOX employs up to 20 cameras, including the innovative SkyCam, which hovers above the field, suspended by cables.
This technology first gained traction during the initial run of the XFL in 2001 and was quickly integrated into NFL broadcasts, becoming an invaluable tool for analysts.
From a perspective behind the offense, a former quarterback like Brady can analyze the game in a way that mirrors his experiences on the field. This angle has become his preferred way to review plays, allowing him to break down defensive strategies and quarterback decisions at the line of scrimmage.
This is just a sliver of the 200,000 pounds of equipment that had to be moved across the country. (Photo courtesy of Richie Zyontz)
You never know
Brady, seasoned in high-pressure situations throughout his legendary career, was stepping into the booth for his fifth game as a broadcaster without having yet called a close match.
On paper, the odds seemed stacked against Arizona as they faced San Francisco. However, during a production meeting on Saturday night, Brady pointed out that in divisional games, the superior team does not always emerge victorious. He recalled how the Miami Dolphins consistently challenged his Patriots, despite often being the lesser team. This insight brought a glimmer of hope for a thrilling match.
Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt had the opportunity to call their first close game of the season on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Richie Zyontz)
Finally …
Brady’s predictions rang true. The underdog Cardinals staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the 49ers, 24-23, led by the impressive quarterback Kyler Murray.
Murray’s 50-yard touchdown run in the first quarter took the sun-baked Levi’s Stadium crowd by surprise and energized the rookie analyst in the booth, who awarded Murray the title of “LFG Player of the Game.”
Watching the game, Brady reacted like a true fan, expressing excitement with “oohs” and “aahs” as he witnessed outstanding plays. This genuine enthusiasm is a refreshing aspect of his new role.
As Brady carves out his own broadcasting identity, it’s evident that he is relishing this new chapter in his career.
Next, the crew is headed to Dallas for the third time in six weeks, where the Detroit Lions will face the Cowboys. After an exhilarating game last year, fans are hopeful for another thrilling encounter.
