CBS play-by-play voice Jim Nantz was this week’s guest on SI Media with Jimmy Traina. Nantz will call his 7th Super Bowl as the play-by-play announcer, his third with current partner Tony Romo.
“Let’s get the game here,” said Nantz. “I am so ready to call this game right now! I am ready man.” When Nantz and Traina taped the podcast, it was only Tuesday, but Nantz said he had already been having a great time which included a dinner with Brent Musburger and a special private show with David Copperfield. “This is pretty cool calling a Las Vegas Super Bowl,” Nantz added.
Traina asked Nantz what he has learned from doing previous Super Bowl about the week leading up to the game and how he handles it. “What I am learning is to pace myself on the reading,” he said. “What I have learned is to, not back off on the prep, maybe prioritize the prep a little bit less. This is a game where there definitely needs to be more air. It’s going to be a great scene, I think it’s going to be a competitive game. I don’t want to drown people with information overload from me. I want the focus on the game.”
Traina also asked Nantz about his partner, Tony Romo. While the internet and X have run wild with criticism of Romo, Nantz said he has never had a conversation about it with his partner, nor is he aware of what is being said. “I am going to use my own judgement for how the broadcasts are going,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier. I love working with Tony…Our chemistry is great. Our time together is just like it is on the air. We have a lot of laughter, a lot of fun. We see silliness, sometimes we bring that to the air. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt, that’s humor.”
Nantz was then asked by Traina if he would have any advice for Kevin Burkhardt of FOX with the situation involving Greg Olsen and Tom Brady. “He’s just got to do what he’s doing,” Nantz said. “We don’t make those decisions. He didn’t make that decision.”
Nantz said he has deep admiration for Burkhardt and reminded that Olsen knew what the plan was when he started. “Kevin’s doing his job,” he continued. “Doing what he’s being asked to do and he’s doing it well and I’m sure Greg understands that.”
