Under Review: Why Good Morning Football Has Changed How NFL Fans Wake Up In The A.M.

By Allan Brown

Good Morning Football is the best three hours of television on television.

Period.

End of Story.

Ok, it's not actually the end of this story. However, as a young journalism student at The University of Toledo many moons ago, I was always told not to bury the lead.

Therefore, I'm letting you know upfront what the crux of this column is about.

And, in the rest of this piece, I'm going to let you know why the NFL Network's current foray into early morning television (seen weekdays at 7 a.m. EST with a repeat broadcast starting at 10 a.m. EST) is succeeding and its predecessors did not.

It's not just the previous incarnations of this programming idea were based out of Los Angeles, where it was 4 a.m. when the anchors were live. You see, the Network's perception was that the shows lacked the energy - and the anchors certainly even lacked the sleep - required to do a live broadcast at that ungodly hour.

Although being based live out of New York City certainly helps bring a different energy to GMFB, the real key to its success is actually much more simple than that.

In one word, the show succeeds because of chemistry.

The four regulars have chemistry in excess.

Actually, there's enough chemistry between Kay Adams, Kyle Brandt, Nate Burleson and Peter Schrager for the show to probably go six hours a day during football season.

The quartet is that good, that knowledgeable and that passionate about the NFL to sustain a show of such magnitude.

Although with three nights of primetime NFL games, they may actually lack just as much sleep as any of their predecessors, it never shows on screen.

From the Lead Block, where the group discusses the top stories or games at the start of each hour, until the concluding segment just a few minutes before 10 a.m., the show is entertaining, informative and extremely watchable.

That's because the team not only knows football, they love the sport.

And their love of football is contagious.

Already a huge NFL fan, if anything, my love for the game has actually increased tenfold from watching how this quartet loves the sport.

As for the team, each brings their own unique perspective to the breakfast table.

Starting with Kay Adams, who guides the trio of men at the table with discussion and insight, she clearly has the chutzpah to carefully balance the stories with the often-zany - though always highly entertaining - antics the men present her with.

Having vast experience in fantasy football programming (among other shows, she previously hosted the highly entertaining Fantasy Football Live on NBCSN before this latest gig, which premiered in August 2016) she rarely steers you wrong in balancing your own squads. Her knowledge is unparalleled.

Every panel discussion show needs that one person to guide and navigate and Adams does that and then some.

As for Brandt, his seven years as executive producer of the Jim Rome radio show serves him well in his breakdown of games and analysis of all stories pertinent to the NFL.

And the energy he possesses at such an early hour is definitely contagious. You might not even need your cup of Joe in the morning as he is that good, that animated.

Brandt is good, though I have to confess even his abundant energy at that hour is not quite enough to keep me from having my cup - or sometimes multiple cups - of Java each day.

Slightly off topic, but certainly of note, Brandt also has a Friday evening show on the Network, The Kyle Brandt Football Experience, which is 'Must See TV' in its own right.

Part up-to-the-minute predictions and discussion and part a trip down memory lane, as Brandt also soundly utilizes the NFL Films vaults that are housed in the Network's possession.

Before the show debuted, it was said the show was partly inspired by the old George Michael Sports Machine. And it does not disappoint, as it might be the best and most unique show since the former last dominated the weekend airwaves two decades ago.

Back to GMFB, clearly, the four feed off of one another.

Nate Burleson, a former third round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings and who also played in Seattle and Detroit in his 11 seasons in the League, gives the crew a unique perspective that only a former player can provide.

Active on social media and co-host of CBS' NFL Today, Burleson is the perfect person to give a player's view to the table.

And, as an aside, Burleson is also perfect for this gig, as he genuinely cares about lifting this sport and its players up. Whereas, many current and former athletes aren't necessarily the best role models for our youth, he definitely is one.

Finally, Peter Schrager rounds out the quartet.

A veteran sports analyst, best-selling author and contributor to both Fox Sports.Com and a sideline NFL reporter for Fox Sports his journalistic expertise and integrity is second to none in the industry. He can often be the voice of reason when discussing a particularly controversial topic.


And none of the four back away or shy away from giving their candid opinions on not only the games, but the breaking news - including negative stories - that affect the game, too.

All have their favorite players and teams and openly discuss that, though not in a biased way that turns a viewer off.

Also a part of the team - albeit stationed in Los Angeles - is sports anchor Will Selva, who brings us updates throughout the three hours and clicks with the other four even if it is only on a split screen.

The only thing that a viewer might wish is that Selva actually was in New York with the others, as he is as clearly a part of the GMFB family as the other four teammates.

Perhaps that last paragraph best sums up why GMFB succeeds - the team actually is like a family to both the viewers and each other.

Sure, they sometimes disagree on a topic, though that just makes for better TV. Even in their differences of opinion, viewers can see they have each others backs.

And that's definitely a key to the show's ever growing popularity.


Back in the late 90s, TV Guide used to honor a series with an award called the Best Show You're Not Watching.

While I'm certainly not saying this is the case with GMFB (in fact viewership has increased by double-digit percentages both in total viewers and in the key 18-54 demo since last year) all I'm noting is that not everyone has or can subscribe to the NFL Network and, perhaps, some who do, have never watched the program.

Shame on you.


There is absolutely no morning show out there that possesses the same energy and enthusiasm.

So if you don't have the NFL Network or have not ever watched GMFB, I highly suggest you subscribe to it, as you really don't know what you're missing.

My lead really says it all.

GMFB is the best morning show in a crowded field of sports - and even news - shows competing for your attention in the early morning

Trust me, once you join the team at their breakfast table, you will partake of the show each weekday.