The professional athlete turned-analyst role just gained another big personality as NFL cornerback Richard Sherman recently joined the new “Thursday Night Football” crew.
Sherman, as a new addition, evolves his official role in football from the field to the broadcast booth to reinvigorate the fledgling early portion of football week.
In March 2021, CNBC reported that Amazon agreed to pay around $1 billion annually to carry “Thursday Night Football” exclusively. Their goal is to shed the perception of “TNF” perception as the least prestigious of the NFL’s nationally broadcast games, and the company is sparing nothing to establish that credibility.
Richard Sherman to Amazon is now officially official. https://t.co/l5jw6SvRsf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 14, 2022
Sherman’s Way
“I’m beyond excited to start this journey with Prime Video and be part of this incredible crew they are assembling,” Sherman said in a release. “It’s going to be the start of something truly special.”
He now joins the “Thursday Night Football” Amazon Prime studio team. He will work with former tight end Tony Gonzalez, who played in the NFL for 17 seasons, for its pregame, halftime, and postgame shows.
Amazon is the exclusive “Thursday Night Football” partner starting this season, and in the broadcast booth are Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit. Ryan Fitzpatrick will also reportedly be added, and FOX’s Charissa Thompson will reportedly host.
Taylor Rooks might also join the broadcast for feature pieces, according to reports.
From The Field To Amazon
“We’re excited to welcome Richard right off the field and onto our Thursday Night Football set,” said Amazon Prime Video director of global live sports production Jared Stacy in a statement.
“Few people are better equipped to give insight into the modern NFL than Richard. Fans will love seeing his big personality and brilliant football mind on display every Thursday night on Prime Video.”
In May, reports began to surface that Sherman was talking with Amazon for a position. Now what remains to be seen is if the move signals retirement. However, Sherman revealed that he would continue training if an NFL team decided to call.
“I’m going to leave that door open,” the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback said to the NFL Network. “If somebody wants to call late December and needs some help, I’m happy to help.”
Amazon has announced that Richard Sherman will officially join its Thursday Night Football coverage.
He’ll appear on pregame, halftime and postgame shows.
Still, Sherman says he isn’t retiring from football: "If somebody wants to call late December, I'm happy to help." pic.twitter.com/LB09V1u7ME
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 14, 2022
Here Comes The Boom
Sherman played one season in Tampa Bay, inevitably being thrown immediately into the lion’s den just days after signing last season. In 2021, Sherman played five games for the Bucs, finishing with one interception and one pass breakup to raise his career totals to 37 interceptions and 116 pass breakups.
However, he had a role in assisting young defensive backs while he was injured. He also reportedly cross-trained at the safety position, helping team depth on the back end of the secondary.
Sherman gained popularity as part of the Legion of Boom when he played for the Seattle Seahawks. The 34-year-old Sherman won the Super Bowl 48 with the Seahawks, spending seven seasons there before joining the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons through 2020.
The star NFL cornerback already has his podcast, “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” The show “brings his deep understanding of the game to the airwaves.” Now that understanding will be on display for prime-time NFL audiences on Thursday evenings this fall.
