Fox's Burkhardt, Olsen prepared to call their 1st Super Bowl

PHOENIX (AP) — Greg Olsen and his teammates at Wayne Hills High School in New Jersey knew it was a big game when Kevin Burkhardt showed up for interviews to prepare to call their game on local radio over the weekend.

More than two decades later, Burkhardt and Olsen will be together in the booth for the biggest football game of the season.

They will call their first Super Bowl for Fox on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I mean, it's crazy, the full circle nature of Kevin and I's relationship from where it started as a 16-yearold kid in high school who was just happy the local radio station guy wants to cover his game," Olsen said. "He's been by my side the entire time, and I'm very grateful for that comfort and friendship. We all know everything is about relationships and being around people you enjoy. I think that's what makes this job a lot of fun."

Burkhardt's career began in North Jersey as the sports director of a tiny AM station. He called some of Olsen's games when he was a standout at Wayne Hills.

As Olsen was winding down a 15-year NFL career, he expressed interest in becoming an analyst once his playing days were over. His audition with Fox ended up being with Burkhardt.

In 2017, while playing for the Carolina Panthers, Olsen was part of a three-person booth with Burkhardt and Charles Davis for a game when the Panthers were on their bye week.

In 2020, Burkhardt and Olsen worked five XFL games. After Olsen's retirement in 2021, he joined Burkhardt again as Fox's No. 2 crew on NFL games.

When Joe Buck and Troy Aikman moved to ESPN's "Monday Night Football" for the 2022 season, they moved up to Fox's top team.

Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks has been pleased with Burkhardt and Olsen's work this season.