For some fans, having the right announcers calling a big game means everything. A fan favorite announcer, Gus Johnson, got the chance to call an NFL game for the first time in a long time alongside an unlikely color commentator, former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, during Sunday's Vikings-Cardinals matchup.
To be clear, this isn’t Talib's first time as a broadcaster. He was in the booth to call two games last season and he was part of the Los Angeles Rams’ preseason television crew.
But Talib is still a newcomer to the broadcasting game and it was his first time working with Johnson, who appeared with Talib on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast, and explained why he feels strongly that Talib has a future in the field.
“Aqib had called games last year and we talked about me calling some games and its kind of just fell into place,” the play-by-play man said. “It was kind of the perfect situation for us to work together because we feel really confident and strong about Aqib’s talent. We think he has a very, very bright future as a broadcaster. They wanted to put him with someone who had a little experience, and I was excited about getting back in the NFL. The way I like to say it, it was perfect…It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Talib added that he will be calling an eight-game schedule for FOX this season, including Cardinals-Jaguars in Week 3 and Lions-Bears in Week 4 with Johnson.
“I thought we sounded good. I’m a people person, so I will vibe with just about anybody you put me with,” Talib said of Johnson. “When I was with Gus, Gus has a way with making me more comfortable. When we did the practice game, I just felt more comfortable sitting there. After hanging out with Gus, I can tell you right now I will feel a lot more comfortable than any other booth I have sat in because we are building a relationship.”
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Unlike most color commentators like Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, or even Cris Collingsworth, Talib provides a defensive perspective of the game which makes him unique. Johnson loves Talib's authentic broadcast style, which he admits he is quite envious of considering the way he had to come into the business.
“I’ve heard Aqib do games and yes he does sound different and that’s a good thing because nobody’s made up the same way," Johnson said. "It’s a different sound from what we are accustomed to hearing, but I think it is a great sound and I think the sound is going to continue to improve as he does this more. The world is changing, that’s what I realize. I’m 54 years old, I look at the world and I see how people react to authenticity and it is kind of refreshing. I came in at a time where there was kind of a standard sound. This is going to be fun.”
With Johnsons natural ability to make any game he is calling big, and with Talib's authentic and unique broadcasting style, could we see a permanent broadcast team in the future?
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