Cris Collinsworth transition happened seamlessly he transitioned from catching footballs on the field to catching the interest of millions through his commentary skills.
After his retirement, Collinsworth dabbled in media roles in NBC, CBS, and HBO studio shows. From the field to the booth, Collinsworth’s long-held passion for the game shined.
His early experiences helped him cultivate a knack for the media industry but it was not until his partnership with Al Michaels that he truly honed his skills in broadcasting.
In 2009, NBC recruited Collinsworth to partner with Al Michaels for Sunday Night Football. The beginning of the Collinsworth and Michael’s era was met with much fanfare, but it also brought a new level of responsibility for Cris.
Sunday nights held a unique atmosphere for Collinsworth; it was a distinct experience compared to his previous media gigs.
The duo was successful in captivating audiences nationwide, garnering a dedicated fan base for their sports commentary.
Working with Al Michaels brought Collinsworth more than just popularity. Collinsworth thanks Michaels for educating him on how to strike the right chord with a national audience.
He appreciated the profundity of Michael’s guidance and the significant influence it had on nailing the tone and temperament during games.
“I think I learned that you don’t have to be mean-spirited, but you’ve got to be honest, and you’ve got to be willing to say what others may not feel comfortable saying because your relationship isn’t really with the players and coaches anymore, it’s with the audience,” Collinsworth told Derek Futterman of BSM. “It’s with the people that are watching on television, and you have to earn their trust that whether it’s something positive or negative that you’re saying, it’s what you honestly believe.”
"Your relationship isn’t really with the players and coaches anymore, it’s with the audience." ⤵️https://t.co/iuvSSTGkip
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2023
Al Michaels cultivated in Collinsworth an appreciation of the nuances of live broadcasting that he may not have understood without his mentor’s help.
Beyond just a professional relationship, Collinsworth speaks warmly of the genuine friendship and respect that developed between him and Michaels.
Michaels’ meticulousness about game details and the seamless chemistry that the duo developed over the years became magnets to millions of ‘Sunday Night Football’ viewers.
Change is inevitable, even in broadcasting. Today, Collinsworth co-hosts with Mike Tirico at NBC. Despite the transition, Collinsworth’s charisma and popularity hold strong.
While Collinsworth is set for two more seasons at NBC, he remains silent about his future plans.
Nonetheless, it is quite evident that his experience working with Michaels has led Collinsworth to feel more at home in the booth.
