The Voices of the New England Patriots Dynasty
Those who called the most iconic moments on TV for the Patriots dynasty
With the news of Tom Brady’s retirement, it made me realize now is the time to release the data I had gathered from this crazy project of mine.
The NFL is unique compared to the other major sports leagues in the United States in that you do not get a typical "home” broadcast. No local TV network calls NFL games like they do for the NBA, NHL or MLB.
In New England, we were blessed for four decades with Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn. If you’re in your early 20s like me, you grew up with Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy calling Red Sox games. You also likely only know Bruins games to be called by Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley.
But what about the Patriots? Which voices defy the era we saw Tom Brady and the Patriots dominate the NFL for 20 years?
Before I begin, I would like to note this of course excludes the radio, for which the Patriots were blessed with the voices of Gil Santos and Patriots legend Gino Cappelleitti. Santos and Cappelleitti worked together as a duo for 28 years, meaning the first 12 seasons Brady started in New England (2001-2012). Cappeletti retired in 2012, and was replaced by former Patriots QB Scott Zolak. Santos and Zolak worked the 2013 season together before Santos retired. Since 2014 the radio broadcast booth for the Patriots has been Bob Socci and Zolak.
Back to television.
Tom Brady appeared in 326 games as a New England Patriot. The first game was Thanksgiving Day in 2000 against the Detroit Lions, while the final game was in the 2019 Wild Card Round against the Tennessee Titans. During that time, I found the broadcast booth for 323 out of 326 games he was a Patriot (99.1%). The three unknown games all took place in 2001 (at Miami, vs. Buffalo and vs. Cleveland).
In total, there were 53 unique broadcast booths that called these 323 games there is record of. All in all, these booths featured 30 different play-by-play commentators and 30 different color commentators (note: some booths featured 2 color commentators for one game).
Of these 53 broadcast booths, 24 only called one Patriots game together which featured Tom Brady. This means the remaining 29 broadcast booths called a total of 299 Patriots games featuring Tom Brady.
We’ll break this up into 3 sections: the top 10, the middle of the pack, then the one timers.
Needless to say, this was a group effort.
The Top 10
These broadcast booths called some of the most iconic moments not just in New England Patriots history, but the history of the NFL.
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, CBS… 74 games called (including 19 playoff games)
Since CBS is the primary broadcast network of the AFC, it makes sense the A-team for the network between 2004 and 2016 called the most games with Brady in a Patriots uniform. Although they called 9 AFC Championship Games featuring the Patriots in those years, they actually never called a Patriots Super Bowl. Nevertheless, you knew it was an important conference game (or a playoff game) when these two were in the booth.
Most iconic call: Billy Cundiff missed kick, 2011 AFC Championship Game
Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, NBC… 30 games called (including 4 playoff games)
Cris Collinsworth took over for John Madden on Sunday Night Football in 2009, and in 11 seasons time he and Al Michaels called 30 Patriots games. They commentated the most Patriots Super Bowls of any broadcast booth (3), as well some of the most important regular season games of the dynasty (i.e. Onto Cincinnati). Although the Brady-era Patriots were just 1-2 in the Super Bowls they called, the one win was arguably the most important of the dynasty, Super Bowl XLIX.
Most iconic call: Malcom Butler INT, Super Bowl XLIX
Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts, CBS… 25 games called (including one playoff game)
The B-team for CBS during the 2010s, this duo called 25 Patriots games (including one postseason game in 2015). Although these were not the premiere Patriots games, they were still significant to Pats fans. My favorite has to be Week 3, 2017 against the Houston Texans.
Most iconic call: Brandin Cooks GW TD, Week 3, 2017
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, CBS… 19 games called (including 6 playoff games)
Tony Romo took over for Phil Simms in 2017, becoming the lead color commentator for CBS. In just three years time this duo called 19 Patriots games, including 6 in the playoffs. In 2018 they announced Super Bowl LIII, the final Super Bowl of the Patriots dynasty, and the first Patriots Super Bowl on CBS in 15 years. From the Pats-Steelers slugfest in 2017 to the 2018 AFC Championship Game, this duo gave us a ton of memorable moments.
Most iconic call: Rex Burkhead GW TD, 2018 AFC Championship Game
Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf, CBS… 19 games called (including one playoff game)
Gumbell was replaced as the top play-by-play commentator at CBS in 2004, but still calls games on the network. Between 2006 and 2013 he worked with veteran color commentator Dan Dierdorf, as the duo called 19 Patriots games featuring Tom Brady in that time. Unfortunately they were the duo on call for the 2008 season opener when Tom Brady tore his ACL and MCL, going on to miss the remainder of the season.
Most iconic call: the entire game at Miami in Week 7, 2007
Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms, CBS… 18 games called (including 5 playoff games)
This was the old A-team at CBS, the one in place during Brady’s first few seasons in the NFL. They were on call for his first NFL appearance on Thanksgiving Day in 2000, and announced 5 of his first 6 postseason games in the NFL (including Super Bowl XXXVIII). The most iconic game they were on the air for was likely the Snow Bowl, Brady’s first postseason win.
Most iconic call: Adam Vinatieri GW FG, Super Bowl XXXVIII
Al Michaels and John Madden, ABC and NBC… 15 games called (including one playoff game)
This duo began working together in 2002 as the Monday Night Football broadcast booth, then moved to NBC in 2006 in a move that shifted the primetime game of the week to Sunday night. In total, they called 15 Patriots games featuring Tom Brady (including one postseason game). The final Monday Night Football Game on ABC in 2005 featured the Patriots playing at the Meadowlands against the Jets.
Most iconic call: the intentional safety at Denver, Week 9, 2003
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, FOX… 11 games called (including two playoff games)
Although they primarily call NFC games for FOX, I was actually stunned how few Patriots games these two called together during the Brady Patriots years. It makes sense, but considering they called two Patriots Super Bowls, which were arguably two of the most historic games in NFL history, it felt like they were there much more often. Regardless, the FOX A-team absolutely made their moments count.
Most iconic call: James White GW TD, Super Bowl LI
Dick Enberg and Dan Dierdorf, CBS… 10 games called
One of the secondary broadcast booths at CBS during the first half of the 2000s, this booth called 10 Patriots games featuring Tom Brady between 2001 and 2005. They were on the air when Brady came in for Drew Bledsoe late in the 4th quarter against the New York Jets in 2001, the game that started it all.
Most iconic call: Brady replacing Bledsoe, Week 2, 2001.
Greg Gumbel and Trent Green, CBS… 8 games called
The third booth here featuring Greg Gumbell, who wass tied with Al Michaels for the second most Brady Patriots games called during the dynasty (45). This duo began working together in 2014 and called 8 Brady Patriots games between 2014 and 2019, including Brady’s final regular season game at a Patriot (Week 17, 2019 against Miami).
Most iconic call: Ryan Fitzpatrick GW TD pass to Mike Gesicki, Week 17, 2019
Middle of the Pack
This group consists of 19 broadcast booths which called between 2 and 7 Patriots games featuring Tom Brady
7 Games
Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon, CBS
An infrequent pairing, as this duo called a Brady Patriots game in 2006 and 2007, then not again until 2015. The most memorable game they called is probably the Steven Jackson game Week 17, 2015 in Miami.
Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross, CBS
This duo called 7 Brady Patriots games between 2002 and 2005, the most memorable of which was in 2002 when New England came back from down 27-6 at the Bears to win 33-30.
Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire, ESPN
The trio used to commentate Sunday Night Football games on ESPN, and worked together until 2005. They were on air for Parcells v Belichick in 2003, but their most memorable Patriots game was in 2001 when the Rams defeated New England 24-17, in what would become a Super Bowl preview.
6 Games
Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski, ESPN
The first ESPN Monday Night Football booth to appear, as this trio worked together for 3 seasons. They announced Brady’s return from tearing his ACL and MCL (2009 season opener), and Brady’s 100th regular season win (Week 4, 2010).
Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots, CBS
This duo called 6 Brady Patriots games between 2009 and 2012, the most memorable of which was the 2009 regular season finale against Houston when Wes Welker tore his ACL and MCL.
4 Games
Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden, ESPN
After 2011 Ron Jaworski was removed from the MNF booth, leaving Tirico and Gruden. The most important game they called was likely Brady’s lowest point, the beatdown at Kansas City in 2014. Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL is what happened every game after that.
Don Criqui and Steve Trasker, CBS
Three games early in Brady’s career, then not another until 2013. Games include the controversial OT win at Buffalo in 2001 and the improbable comeback against the Browns in 2013 when Gronk tore his ACL and MCL.
3 Games
Thom Brennaman and Troy Aikman, FOX
Brennaman called these games as Joe Buck was busy with MLB postseason coverage, but luckily for him this means he got to see a Kembrell Thompkins game-winning TD against the Saints in 2013.
Dick Enberg and Randy Cross, CBS
This duo called the first matchup between Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini (Week 2, 2006).
Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston, FOX
Nothing special here to be honest… Week 6, 2003 against the Giants, Week 14, 2009 against the Panthers, and Week 6 2014 at Buffalo.
Gus Johnson and Brent Jones, CBS
This duo has the honor of saying they called Tom Brady’s first start AND the first Brady-Manning game (Week 3, 2001).
Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch, FOX
This duo was on air for Tom Brady’s 201st overall win (regular season and postseason) against the Rams in 2016, as he passed Peyton Manning for the most total QB wins in NFL history.
2 Games
Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser, ESPN
The duo called two games for the Patriots in 2007 against AFC North opponents, including a controversial win at Baltimore.
Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden, ESPN
This was an odd pairing, the ESPN Monday Night Football booth for 2016 and 2017. Good games, but I’ll say the win against the Ravens in 2016 was better than losing to Jay Cutler and the Dolphins a year later.
Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth, FOX
Nothing special here, a loss to the Packers in 2002 and a win against the Seahawks in 2004.
Bill Macatee and Rich Gannon, CBS
This duo called two games in 2010 which could not have been more of polar opposites: the Patriots loss at Cleveland and their win in the regular season finale against Miami.
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots, CBS
This duo called back-to-back games in 2001: an OT thriller against the Chargers featuring Brady’s first TD pass, and the David Patten game against the Colts a week later.
Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots, CBS
The only two Brady Patriots games ever called by Spero Dedes took place at the end of the 2014 season: at the Jets and home against the Bills.
Marv Albert and Rich Gannon, CBS
The long time basketball play-by-play commentator called two Brady Patriots games in 2011: the Bills upset of New England - their first win against the Patriots in 8 years - and a far less interesting Patriots win against the Peyton Manning-less Colts.
The One Timers
Although these broadcast booths only called just one Tom Brady Patriots game together, there were some famous moments they saw.
Craig Bolerjack and Trevor Matich, CBS
Week 8, 2001: A mid-season game at Atlanta, the Patriots won 24-10. Rookie QB Michael Vick comes in at the end of the third quarter; he would make his first start the next week against Dallas
Sam Rosen and Bill Maas, FOX
Week 11, 2001: After a loss to St. Louis the week prior, Bill Belichick officially names Tom Brady the starting QB of the Patriots; Brady tears apart the Saints in a 34-17 rout.
Kevin Harlan and Craig James, CBS
Week 17, 2001: The Patriots wrap up the 2001 regular season with a win at Carolina, securing a bye week.
Pat Summerall and John Madden, FOX
The only game this iconic duo (and Summerall himself) announced with Brady as a Patriot was Super Bowl XXXVI, the one that started it all.
Kenny Albert and Tim Green, FOX
Week 12, 2002 against Minnesota (Pats win 24-17)
Verne Lundquist and Dan Dierdorf, CBS
Week 1, 2003: Lunquist, the voice of the SEC, stepped in for Dick Enberg for the 2003 season opener, watching the Drew Bledsoe-led Buffalo Bills dismantle the Patriots 31-0.
Curt Menefee and Tim Green, FOX
Week 17, 2004: The host of the FOX NFL pregame show stepped into the broadcast booth for the 2004 regular season finale against the 49ers.
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth, FOX
Three names that called a lot of important Patriots moments, but the only time they worked together for a Brady Patriots game was Super Bowl XXXIX, which cemented the Patriots dynasty.
Ron Pitts and Tim Ryan, FOX
Week 11, 2005 against New Orleans (Pats win 24-17)
Dick Enberg and Rich Gannon, CBS
Week 12, 2005: Rich Gannon’s first Brady broadcast featured a disappointing Patriots loss in Kansas City.
Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston, FOX
Week 15, 2005: Tom Brady’s first start against what would become his future team 15 years later. The Pats win easily, 28-0.
Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser, ESPN
Week 8, 2006: Leading up to this 2006 Monday Night Football game, Raiders WR Randy Moss flew to Minnesota to meet Tom Brady, laying the groundwork for their future historic partnership. Tony Kornheiser compares Brady to Jack Bauer.
Matt Vasgersian and J.C. Pearson, FOX
Week 13, 2006: More well known for his baseball commentary, Matt Vasgersian was in attendance for the Josh McCown-at-WR game in 2006.
Kenny Albert and Troy Aikman, FOX
Week 8, 2007: During the midst of the historic 2007 season, the Patriots annihilate Washington 52-7
Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth, NFL Network
Week 17, 2007: A special booth for a historic night, these two had the honor of watching the Patriots complete a 16-0 season in 2007. The game was featured on CBS and NBC as well due to it’s historic significance (which featured the NFL Network production).
Don Criqui and Randy Cross, CBS
Week 17, 2011: The 2011 regular season finale; New England was down 21-0 in the first quarter to the Bills before scoring SEVEN unanswered touchdowns to win 49-21.
Dick Stockton and John Lynch, FOX
Week 2, 2012: You’ll remember this 2012 game for Stephen Gostkowski missing a potential game-winning field goal, leading to a 20-18 loss against Arizona.
Brad Nesler and Mike Mayock, NFL Network
Week 2, 2013: A sloppy Thursday night game against the Jets featuring Julian Edelman catching 13 of Brady’s 19 completions.
Sam Rosen and John Lynch, FOX
Week 8, 2014: Gronk scores a wild touchdown against the Bears. Suddenly the 2014 Patriots are 6-2 and clicking on all cylinders.
Thom Brennaman and Charlie Davis, FOX
Week 13, 2015: A prelude to Super Bowl LII perhaps? Pats lose to the Chip Kelly Eagles 35-28.
Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland, ESPN
Week 8, 2018: The hapless Bills have no chance against the 2018 Patriots, losing 25-6
Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland, ESPN
Week 7, 2019: The night Sam Darnold saw ghosts.
Andrew Cantalon and James Lofton, CBS
Week 15, 2019: Tom Brady’s final road win as a Patriot comes in Cincinnati.
Mike Tirico and Kurt Warner, NFL Network
Week 16, 2019: A bittersweet one for Pats fans, as these two called the final win of Tom Brady’s career as a Patriot (against Buffalo)
By the Network
Tom Brady played 326 games as a New England Patriot. Here’s the breakdown of which ones aired on what networks
CBS: 220 games (67.5%)
Two Super Bowls
13 AFC Championship Games
32 overall playoff games
23 different broadcast booths
Three games of unknown broadcast booths in 2001
NBC: 35 games (10.7%)
Three Super Bowls
4 overall playoff games
Two different broadcast booths
FOX: 34 games (10.4%)
Four Super Bowls
Four overall playoff games
17 different broadcast booths
ESPN: 24 games (7.4%)
All primetime regular season games
7 Sunday Night Football games
17 Monday Night Football games
8 different broadcast booths
ABC: 10 games (3.1%)
One playoff game
One broadcast booth
NFL Network: 3 games (0.9%)
Two primetime games
Three different broadcast booths