The first NFL broadcast on Nickelodeon is better than we could have ever imagined and immediately proved that it needs to happen more often. The presentation of the game aimed at young people made it perfect not only for children, but also for anyone who wants to enjoy football without the seriousness of traditional comments.
Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson led the charge for knowledge of football in the cabin, sharing the game and trying to get the kids to understand the game. Of course, it was a little simplistic, saying things like “Allen Robinson expects to run and catch a ball from his quarterback”, so that’s what kids need to enjoy the game.
There were also dozens of little touches by Nickelodeon, from game graphics showing football players with cartoon elements, to the first marker being replaced by a “slime line”. It just worked and I love it.
It’s great to watch a broadcast focused only on the optimism and fun of football. I will take commentators discussing their favorite ice cream flavors and excitement during each play for NBC’s gloomy and ridiculous presentation on Saturday night that mentioned the Capitol attack no less than five times during Buccaneers vs. Washington.
There is a bell curve for how well this type of presentation works. If you don’t know anything about football, it’s perfect. If you have partial knowledge and want to know a little more, you will not learn much. If you are a veteran football observer and earn little with a traditional broadcast, why not watch something based on pure fun?
I learn a lot more about a player who discovers that Cole Kmet, the Bears tight end, is a diehard Drake and Josh fan, more than knowing about the amount of yards you received in an obscure college game that I didn’t watch. I understand Nate Burleson a little better, as a person who knows that his favorite flavor of ice cream is almonds with cream.
Of course, there are some pitfalls too. When I heard your announcer Gabrielle Nevaeh Green recite a statistic and say “2000, wow … I wasn’t even born at that time”, I felt it. I felt it in my soul – but in the end it was still worth it. This needs to be a milestone in advancing the NFL season, not just for our enjoyment, but for the future of football fans.