This is true of most athletes transitioning from the field to the broadcast booth, but becomes especially so for Tom Brady: His success as a broadcaster—if we really, truly, actually get there, following Tuesday’s announcement from Fox that Brady will join the network after retirement and Brady doesn’t orchestrate some kind of black-ops NFL franchise takeover, installing himself in every key position—will rest solely on his willingness to tell the truth. Or, at least, some version of the truth.
Once most athletes hit the booth, their corporate life of titanium-member travel and insider access hinders their ability to be open and honest to the millions of people watching a game.