When someone turns on the TV today to watch a football game or a show relating to the NFL, the likelihood of hearing a former player voicing his opinion on a certain subject is pretty high. For some reason, many former NFL players attempt to make the jump from the field to the TV studio once their career in football has come to a close.
At first it seems like a good idea for a network to hire former players because of their experience in the league and the knowledge they can share. But many of those former players quickly find out that speaking in front of a live television audience is sometimes a lot harder than catching a football.
Some former NFL players have been able to succeed in the broadcast booth or as a studio analyst, while others have not been fortunate enough to make a successful transition.
Listed below are a few of the worst moments caught on tape courtesy of some former players who decided to give it a shot in front of the camera.
Emmitt Smith
Former NFL running back (Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals)
Smith is arguably the greatest running back in the history of the league. Even if some may not agree with that sentiment, no one can argue against his accomplishments in the NFL.
The running back won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys and is the league’s all-time leader in career rushing yards and career rushing touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Smith, his time as an NFL analyst with ESPN was more comparable to that of a group of nervous kindergartners singing songs in front of an audience full of their parents.
Ray Lewis
Former NFL linebacker (Baltimore Ravens)
During his time in the league, Lewis became known as the motivational leader for the Ravens. Numerous clips can be found of him delivering speeches and words of encouragement to his teammates before, during, and after their games.
But as an NFL analyst for ESPN, Lewis seemed to be unable to separate his motivational tone away from the opinions he gave in front of the camera.
Warren Sapp
Former NFL defensive lineman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders)
Sapp was not one to keep quiet during his NFL playing days and his obnoxiousness was only amplified during his time as an analyst for the NFL Network. As it is shown below, he did not even have to be speaking on screen to create a controversy.
Trent Dilfer
Former NFL quarterback (spent time with five teams during his career)
Since he was brought on by ESPN in 2008, some would say that Dilfer’s career as an analyst has faired much better than his time spent in the NFL as a quarterback. Despite throwing more interceptions than touchdowns during his career in the league, Dilfer still portrays himself as a know-it-all when comes to what a quarterback must do in order to succeed in the NFL.
But when he makes points like in the clip below, there are not many that can argue against him.
Tim Hasselbeck
Former NFL quarterback (spent time with four teams during his career)
Another unsuccessful quarterback turned ESPN analyst (five career NFL starts), Hasselbeck’s attitude in front of the camera tries to make it seem like he is some football savant. But that could not be farther from the truth.
Just take a look at his expert analysis of current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles after he was drafted in 2014 (who now has a career QB rating of 79.6 after three years in the league).
Brian Dawkins
Former NFL safety (Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos)
When searching for a reason as to why Dawkins’ time on television did not last very long (three years with ESPN), comparing the New England Patriots to pirates should pretty much be enough of an explanation.
Phil Simms
Former NFL quarterback (New York Giants)
Having been in broadcasting for over 20 years, one would think that Simms’ skills as an NFL commentator would have been perfected by now. But for the quarterback, his commentary in the broadcast booth have seemed to get worse over time.
When a whole Twitter account is dedicated to the constant supply of word vomit being projected from your mouth, it may be time to hang it up Mr. Simms.
Phil Simms thinks Clowney’s hustle is unbelieva-ba-ble.#HOUvsNE pic.twitter.com/zrb42sd2nE
— Funhouse (@SportsFunhouse) January 15, 2017
Tony Siragusa
Former NFL defensive lineman (Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens)
Raise your hand if you were unsure of what Siragusa’s role with Fox’s NFL coverage exactly was during his time with network. Most reading should have their hands raised high to the sky.
The former defensive lineman moonlighted as a sideline analyst (or on-field analyst as some liked to call it) with Fox for over 10 years. He was basically the equivalent to everyone’s annoying middle-aged relative who played football in high school and now claims to know everything and anything about the game.
Tony Siragusa calls Russell Wilson “Russell Williams.” #SEAvsBAL #Seahawks #russellwilson pic.twitter.com/9ammuhpCjm
— Jim Ruiz (@jimrjad) December 14, 2015
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