Tom Brookshier

Biography

Tom Brookshier was a former NFL defensive back and longtime broadcaster best known for his work on CBS Sports during the 1970s and early 1980s. A sharp-witted, energetic presence in the booth, Brookshier became one of the defining voices of the NFL’s television boom, especially through his partnership with Pat Summerall on CBS’s lead broadcast team. Brookshier played his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles (1953–1961), where he was a two-time All-Pro and a starter on the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship team. Known for his toughness and intelligence on the field, his playing career was cut short by injury, but he soon transitioned into broadcasting—bringing the same edge and competitive spirit to the booth. He joined CBS in the mid-1960s and quickly became a key figure in their NFL coverage. Paired with Summerall throughout much of the 1970s, Brookshier’s enthusiastic, conversational style balanced Summerall’s restrained delivery, and the duo became one of the most popular broadcast teams of their time. They were the voices of NFL Sundays for much of the decade, covering countless playoff games and high-profile regular season matchups. Brookshier was the color commentator for Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIV, both alongside Summerall on CBS. His ability to inject personality, humor, and insight into broadcasts helped shape the tone of football commentary as the NFL reached new heights in national popularity. Off the air, he was also known for his charisma and occasionally unfiltered style, which made him a memorable and sometimes controversial presence in the booth. After stepping away from national broadcasting in the early 1980s, Brookshier remained involved in media and local radio while continuing to be celebrated as one of the early personalities who helped bring pro football into American living rooms. Tom Brookshier’s legacy is defined not just by the games he played or called, but by his role in making televised football feel both authoritative and entertaining—a blend that became the blueprint for modern NFL commentary.