FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, November 4th, 2018

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA VISITS WITH BRADY & RODGERS AHEAD OF PACKERS-PATRIOTS ON SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Tom Brady on Being Labeled the Greatest of All-Time: “I don’t like it very much, truthfully … I’ve always been the underdog.”

Mathematicians from Wisconsin and Boston College Settle Brady-Rodgers Debate

Michael Jordan Weighs in on Greatest of All-Time Conversation

Coverage Begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – November 3, 2018 – Ahead of Packers-Patriots on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, Football Night in America features exclusive interviews with both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, as the two quarterbacks face each other for just the second time ever. Pre-game coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by a new, earlier kickoff time of 8:20 p.m. ET.

In tonight’s Week 9 edition of Football Night in America, two-time Super Bowl champion and analyst Rodney Harrison speaks with Brady, who discusses which quarterbacks he emulated as a kid, the traits Rodgers possesses, and his opposition to being labeled as the greatest of all-time.

Click here to watch the full interview.

Mike Tirico visits with Rodgers to discuss the play of Brady, and which moment encapsulates the five-time Super Bowl champion the most as part of a feature that will air during FNIA. In addition, mathematicians from the University of Wisconsin and Boston College come together to analyze statistical data in an attempt to settle the Brady vs. Rodgers debate.

Click here to watch.

Tirico will host Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET on NBC alongside Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, Harrison, NFL insider Mike Florio and PFT Live co-host Chris Simms from NBC Sports’ International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. Liam McHugh will co-host Football Night in America on-site from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Below are excerpts from Harrison’s interview with Brady, and Tirico’s interview with Rodgers. If used, please note the mandatory credit: “In an exclusive interview from NBC Sports’ Football Night in America.”

HARRISON’S INTERVIEW WITH BRADY

Brady on being labeled as the best ever: “I don’t think I like it very much, truthfully. It’s almost more uncomfortable for me because I never see myself like that. I’ve always been the underdog… I was a backup quarterback on a 0-8 freshman team, and I didn’t even play.”

Brady on who he emulated as a kid: “I was the earlier Joe (Montana) (fan), and when Steve (Young) took over, I mean, what better way for a kid to grow up in the Bay Area watching those two guys? They were both my heroes. When I was in the street playing football with my friends, that’s who I was. I had Joe Montana’s jersey at one point when I was younger, and then I had a Steve Young jersey when I got older … I loved 49ers quarterbacks.”

Brady on his first memory of Rodgers: “When Brett (Favre) retired and then came back and they said, ‘No, Aaron is the quarterback,’ that’s when I really started to pay attention. Like, ‘Wow, Aaron’s playing,’ and watching him play and develop over the years, it’s been fun to watch … I think everyone looks at him and tries to emulate things that he does even though a lot of them are impossible to do.”

Brady on what he’s learned from Rodgers: “When I watch him play … the way I see him move and throw, it makes me want to get on the practice field and try new things. I’ve done that over the last few years – trying to incorporate some different throwing mechanics, different angles of throws.”

TIRICO’S INTERVIEW WITH RODGERS

Rodgers on what words come to mind: “Champion. He’s got five rings. That’s pretty impressive.”

Rodgers on which specific moment comes to mind when he thinks of Brady: “I think it’s just the comeback against Atlanta. 28-3. All of us being fans of the game were watching, and you’re starting to think about what it’s going to be like for Matt (Ryan) – probably going to be Super Bowl MVP, and getting to see him in the summer time and congratulate him on his championship. But then they just start slowly eating away at it. It (was) typical Patriots and Tom.”

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA