"John McEnroe is someone you work with...have to earn his respect" - When broadcasting veteran Chris Fowler explained 'fun' side of American legend
John McEnroe once received high praise from ESPN colleague Chris Fowler. He described the tennis great as a one-of-a-kind personality who brought energy and humor to the workplace.
Fowler is an American sports broadcaster best known for his work with ESPN, where he has been a prominent play-by-play commentator and studio host since the 1980s.
Chris Fowler and John McEnroe have worked together extensively as part of ESPN's tennis coverage team. They often co-hosted broadcasts for Grand Slams, where the former handled play-by-play commentary, while the latter provided in-depth analysis and insights.
In a 2015 interview with USA Today, Fowler praised McEnroe, noting that while it can be challenging to earn the respect of the seven-time Major champion, once achieved, he is one of the best people to work with.
"John is a unique individual," Fowler said. "He brings his own sensibility to it and that’s why viewers love him. That’s why he’s fun to work with, because there’s an unpredictability to it."
"John is someone you work with who you have to [earn] his respect. That probably took some time — we spent some time away from the booth, hanging out and getting to know each other, listening to each — though you mostly listen with John," he added.
Fowler is particularly famous for covering college football and tennis, including events like the College Football Playoff, the US Open, and Wimbledon. He started hosting College GameDay, ESPN's flagship college football program, in 1990, and his presence in tennis coverage has also made him a well-known voice for Majors.
"John McEnroe has the ability to make a lopsided match entertaining" - Chris Fowler
In the same USA Today interview, Chris Fowler continued to praise John McEnroe, stating that he enjoyed the challenge of working alongside him due to his competitive nature, which kept everyone on their toes.
"I love the challenge of playing off him," Fowler said. "You have to stay on your toes and he’ll throw you questions you might not expect. He’ll come back at you and challenge your statements, which is perfectly good."
He added:
"John has the ability to make a lopsided match entertaining. But what I really love is that he instinctively knows when to step back. He has so many things in his head and so many things to say, but sometimes saying little or nothing is what you need to do."
McEnroe transitioned to commentary soon after his retirement from full-time competitive tennis in 1994.
By the early 2000s, he had become a regular commentator for major networks such as NBC, CBS, and ESPN. His outspoken style made him a popular choice, and he quickly became one of the sport's most recognizable voices.