RICHMOND, Va. — Redskins cornerback Josh Norman will add some broadcasting duties to his gameday routine, becoming a contributor to Fox’s NFL coverage.
Norman joins Brandon Marshall, an analyst for Showtime, as the only other active NFL player with a national TV gig, and could become the first player to appear live on the pregame show of a game in which he’s going to play.
Norman will make a minimum of 10 appearances this fall, according to MMQB, where the story was first reported on Monday.
How did this come about?
“I guess just going on ESPN and Fox News Sports and different shows,” Norman said Monday. “It ended up to being worked out where I can do that and play at the same time. It won’t be too much of a burden on me or take away from my No. 1 job. It’s what I do. Just communicating and spitting back out sports to people who love to watch it. That’s pretty easy.”
The big question will be just how he will be used during pregame, something he wants everyone to tune in for.
“You’re just gonna (sic) have to find out,” he said. “It’s crazy, expansion.”
MMQB reports that a Fox spokesperson says that the network has received no guarantees that Norman would be available for pregame hits. The network also understands that the focus will always be on the field.
“Our No. 1 priority in this relationship is to make sure we do not get in the way of anything on the field — this is completely secondary,” John Entz, Fox Sports president of production and executive producer, told MMQB.
“If there is ever a time where he feels this is something that gets in the way of his focus, then we completely understand that and we will respect that. If he ever came to us, and said, ‘I need a break.’ that’s something we would be comfortable allowing.”
How does Redskins coach Jay Gruden feel about it?
“I haven’t talked to him about it,” Norman said. “He’s cool with it. I’m pretty sure he already knows about it. So it’s, obviously, something that I think is going to benefit us as well as a whole.
“Just being here, bringing more light on the squad and what we do. And understanding we’re here to win and continue to win and grow in every aspect you can.” He added that the gig could be a steppingstone to a job once his playing career is over.
This could be fun to watch.
