Ever wonder who the most popular players and coaches are for NFL broadcasts and who gets the most airtime? Well, thanks to a new statistical study, now we finally have our answer.
The Wall Street Journal has published a list of NFL coaches and quarterbacks ranked by their TV time – or how often a broadcast cuts to that individual on the sideline.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh ranks first overall at 45.5 shots per game, which is almost an absurd number for a 60 minute game. To put it in perspective, that’s just shy of Jameis Winston’s gratuitous 48 sideline shots when he was on the sidelines suspended earlier this season. Even if you count a three hour broadcast for a typical NFL game, that means Harbaugh is being shown every 3.95 minutes – and that includes commercials!
While that much Harbaugh might seem like a little overkill, given his constant theatrics and GIFable reactions on the sidelines, topping this list is a deserved honor. With moments like these, it’s no wonder NFL producers and directors always have one eye on the volatile 49ers head coach…
Jim Harbaugh, the camera loves you. http://t.co/wES84uC0cD pic.twitter.com/gVPTMvvaGp
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) October 16, 2014
"Jim, there's a sale at Kohl's." RT @cjzero: GIF: Think Jim Harbaugh was excited about the Chiefs penalty? http://t.co/plXLOSm4zO
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/Walters_33/status/511356620685967360
The Google Image search for “Jim Harbaugh Freak Out” is the rich tapestry of life itself.
Following Harbaugh are Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Eagles coach Chip Kelly, Giants coach Tom Coughlin, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. The QB side includes the usual suspects – Manning, Brady, Brees, and Luck… with rookie Teddy Bridgewater sneaking in at #3 in the biggest surprise on the list.
At the other end of the spectrum, I’m shocked that Packers coach Mike McCarthy is the least shown coach during games. Perhaps that’s because his facial expression hasn’t changed in seven years. And poor Bucs Mike Glennon is last by a good long way on the QB side.
Here’s the entire WSJ chart listing coaches and quarterbacks by the number of shots on the sideline during games…
Poor John Harbaugh must be jealous of his brother’s TV time. Also, Tony Romo coming in at T19 for QBs behind the likes of Brian Hoyer and Austin Davis? Jerry Jones probably gets more on-screen airtime than that! It’s also a shame that CBS’s 89 shots per game of Patriots owner Robert Kraft doesn’t get a mention in this list as well.
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