Erin Andrews reveals failed career ambition after embarrassing herself in Larry Bird exchange
Everyone knows Erin Andrews.
As Fox’s lead sideline reporter, Andrews is a fixture for the biggest NFL games, working alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady.
On the most recent episode of New Heights, Andrews told Jason and Travis Kelce that she once wondered if she would ever work in sports, while considering a completely different career path.
“I wanted to be a sports broadcaster or a marine biologist,” Andrews revealed. “Let’s be honest, we all know how smart I am, I don’t think it would have worked out.”
While she might have made a great marine biologist, it’s safe to say she chose the right career.
The 47-year-old also shared stories about her father, a broadcast journalist who worked on TV, and a funny, awkward encounter with Boston Celtics legend and Hall of Famer Larry Bird.
“My dad’s a great storyteller, he was on television forever…” Andrews said. “He would make these people sound like my friends, and unfortunately and fortunately I grew up thinking they were.
“I was obsessed with the Celtics, I wanted the Red Sox to win a World Series so bad for my father. I loved sitting back and watching Brett Favre do his thing with my dad. There was never another option…”
Andrews has interviewed some of the world’s biggest athletes, but it was her encounter with Bird that she never forgot.
“Because I grew up thinking these guys were my friends, I’ve had multiple encounters with Larry Bird. I met him and I told him everything about my life in one minute, and absolutely vomited my life story about how he is my everything.
“I called my dad right away and said, ‘Holy s*** dad, I’ve just met Larry Legend and think I embarrassed myself. I talked about all this stuff.’
“He asked if I could go back and say I’m sorry. I was like, ‘No, dad!'”
Andrews has been with Fox since 2012, working in college football and NFL coverage, as well as MLB and World Series broadcasts, and even the Daytona 500.
She is as versatile as they come.
Andrews wasn’t the only guest on the latest episode of New Heights, as her good friend and broadcaster Charissa Thompson joined the Kelce brothers as well.
Both Andrews and Thompson defended Brady following backlash over his performance in the broadcast booth so far.
“It looks easier than it actually is. Everyone believes anyone can do it, but it’s not that easy,” Thompson said.
“I think we saw that with Tom Brady,” Andrews added. “He was the most scrutinized person to get in the booth last year, right?
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“I’m proud of him. You get in, you think you can do it — and I’m not saying that about Tom — but everyone has their opinion and they let it be known what they thought of him.”
Brady has been under intense scrutiny since signing his 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox a few years ago, making him the highest-paid broadcaster.
To his credit, Brady has improved year after year in the broadcast booth. Of course, not everyone wants to hear that. They just want to criticize and spew their hate and negativity.
It’s just part of the job, unfortunately, but it’s one Andrews is grateful for every day, even if she embarrasses herself in front of Larry Bird every now and then.
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