Tonight on NBC’s Football Night in America, Bob Costas will talk with two players who will take part in the Dallas-Green Bay game at Lambeau Field. Clay Matthews of the Packers and Keith Brooking from the Cowboys will be the subjects of Costas’ questions. Let’s take a look at what you’ll see tonight on Football Night in America.
“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” PREVIEW – WEEK 9BOB COSTAS INTERVIEWS CLAY MATTHEWS & KEITH BROOKING“America, I’m looking for a hair deal.” – Clay Matthews to Bob Costas“We’re not going to quit, not on my watch.” – Keith Brooking to Bob CostasNEW YORK – November 7, 2010 – Bob Costas interviewed Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking for tonight’s Week 9 edition of “Football Night in America,” which will also include highlights, analysis and reaction to Week 9’s afternoon games.
“Football Night” airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Costas, who won the outstanding studio host Emmy last year, hosting the program live from inside the stadium. In addition to his interviews, he is joined on site by SNF commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) for reaction to the afternoon games.
Dan Patrick co-hosts “Football Night” from NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach and Emmy-nominated Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Alex Flanagan will report from Lincoln Financial Field on the Colts-Eagles game.BEST VIEWERSHIP EVER: “Football Night in America” (7:30-8:15 pm) is averaging 8.2 million viewers through its first eight weeks, its most ever for that time frame and up more than one million viewers (15 percent) vs. 2009’s 7.1 million. Viewership for “Football Night” through eight weeks:1. 2010 8.2 million2. 2009 7.1 million3. 2008 6.2 million4. 2007 6.0 million5. 2006 6.5 million
INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from Costas’ interviews with Matthews and Brooking.CLAY MATTHEWSOn if there was any doubt he’d be a football player based on his pedigree (father, grandfather and uncle all played in the NFL): There was no doubt at all. Perhaps I was crazy to think that growing up, being a skinny kid with not a whole lot of hope to play football. It’s just the path I chose. I’ve stayed determined and fortunately I’ve made it this far.
On his family critiquing his performance: All the time. If you’re in the Matthews family, it’s tough growing up. They’ll let you know what you’re doing right and doing wrong. In fact, I work with my father in the off-season on pass-rush moves and becoming an overall better player. They’re very instrumental. I’m going to keep looking at them for guidance.
On not starting for his high school team despite his dad being the defensive coordinator: Obviously I was under-sized in high school. I had zero scholarships as a matter of fact. It’s tough when you’re dad’s the defensive coordinator and opts not to start you but that paid off. It kind of gave me my blue-collar attitude. I had to walk on at USC and kind of scratch-and-claw for everything, and was able to earn a scholarship for special teams play. When the chance arose, I took it and never looked back. I guess that’s what great about where I am today. I’m a first-round pick with a walk-on’s mentality. I’ve given every opportunity to succeed. As long as I keep that mentality, the possibilities are endless.
On if his long hair ever gets in the way: Especially for me, I’m always fighting with tight ends and tackles and what not trying to get to the quarterback. I’m always having my hair grabbed, whether it’s on purpose or not. It gets in the way a few times but I’ll take it because I think it looks alright (smiles).
On Clay Matthews Halloween costumes in Green Bay: There recently was an increase in blond wig sales around the Green Bay area. There were some great pictures posted up. I think it looked pretty similar to that of my hair. It looked great so hopefully we get some more next year.
On a hair endorsement deal: I don’t have anything right now. It’s unfortunate. I’ve been throwing it out there. I’ve just been getting shunned. I don’t know what it is. I need to talk to Troy and see if I can join that campaign. America, I’m looking for a hair deal. Let me know.KEITH BROOKING
On being 1-6: The reason that we’re not doing better than what we’ve done and our record doesn’t show that is because we’re not going out on the football field and executing the defense that’s called, the offensive play that’s called, and whatever we have going on with our special teams. It’s very disappointing. It’s very frustrating. It’s something that’s causing me to have sleepless nights. I’m not in as good a mood when I’m walking around in my house with my two kids and my wife. They all realize it. Life brings you ups and downs, and successful people, real men, they face it for what it is. They’re not looking to the left or to the right. They’re not looking behind them. They’re facing forward.
On David Garrard implying the Cowboys quit: He’s not out there on the practice field with us. He’s not in our huddle during the game. He’s not on our sideline. He doesn’t know what’s going on with the Dallas Cowboys. I can tell you this, it wasn’t for lack of effort. We’re not going to quit, not on my watch.
On playing for Wade Phillips’ job: I don’t think we’re playing to save Wade’s job. That doesn’t mean that we don’t care about Wade. I love Wade Phillips. The Dallas Cowboys as a team, we have to go out there on the field and play to win a game. We’re not playing to save Coach Phillips job. That’s not our mentality.
On his pregame pep talks: A lot of its just pure emotion, and just trying to get the guys ready to go. Obviously it’s not working this year (laughs).
Costas: Have they thought about replacing you? Go with the backup ranter?
Brooking: If it gets us a win, I’ll do whatever, whatever it takes. More than anything, I don’t look back and regret it. My wife probably regrets me doing it more than anything. She’s like, I don’t even know that guy. I’m very laid back and easy going off the field.
That will do it for our early quotage. Expect the NBC quotage later tonight.
