Kevin Burkhardt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kevin Burkhardt
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Burkhardt in 2024
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| Born | March 2, 1974 Bloomfield, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Alma mater | William Paterson University |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Spouse(s) | Rachel Burkhardt |
| Children | 1 |
Kevin Burkhardt, born on March 2, 1974, is an American sportscaster. He is famous for his work on TV, especially for calling NFL games and hosting Major League Baseball shows on Fox.
He used to be a reporter for the New York Mets baseball team from 2007 to 2014. Since 2014, he has been the main host for Major League Baseball broadcasts on Fox and FS1. He also hosts special "Reunion" episodes for the reality TV show Alone on the History Channel.
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Early Life and Education
Kevin Burkhardt was born and grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He was born on March 2, 1974. As a kid, he was a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team. He loved them because his favorite stuffed animal mascot was an Eagles one. His favorite player was Ron Jaworski.
When he was in middle school, Kevin would pretend to be a sports announcer for his Nintendo games. He looked up to Gary Cohen, who later became his broadcast partner for the Mets. Kevin finished high school at Bloomfield High School in 1992. He then went to William Paterson University and graduated in 1997 with a degree in broadcasting.
Starting His Broadcasting Career
Kevin Burkhardt started his career at a radio station called WGHT in New Jersey. He worked there for eight years, covering local events like high school football games.
He also worked at Jukebox Radio, where he announced games for the New Jersey Jackals, a minor league baseball team. At one point, he found it hard to get a better broadcasting job. So, he worked as a car salesman for a while.
After WGHT, Kevin got a part-time job at WFAN, a big sports radio station. He did freelance work and eventually became the full-time reporter for the New York Jets football team. During this time, he also reported on sports for other TV and radio channels.
Reporting for SportsNet New York
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In 2007, Kevin joined the New York Mets broadcast team at SportsNet New York (SNY). He took over from another reporter. He had interviewed for the job but didn't think he would get it. On SNY, he appeared on many Mets shows, like Mets Hot Stove and Mets Pre-Game Live. Kevin left SNY at the end of the 2014 season to work full-time for Fox.
Calling Football Games
Even while working with the Mets, Kevin really wanted to announce football games. He got a chance to do this with the Compass Radio Network. He called college football games, including the 2009 Texas Bowl.
From 2011 to 2013, Kevin was also the main announcer for Dallas Cowboys games on Compass Radio Networks. He worked with former NFL player Danny White. In 2013, Kevin joined Fox Sports, and another announcer took his place for the Cowboys games.
Becoming a Voice for Fox Sports
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In 2013, Kevin Burkhardt started calling games for NFL on Fox. He worked with John Lynch and Erin Andrews. This team even called a big playoff game in 2014 between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks. He also filled in for Major League Baseball on Fox in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he became the main pre-game host for MLB coverage on Fox and FS1. He also joined the Fox College Hoops team.
In 2022, a famous announcer named Joe Buck left Fox. Kevin Burkhardt was then promoted to be the lead play-by-play announcer for NFL on Fox. He works with Greg Olsen, a former NFL player, who gives expert comments. Kevin was the TV announcer for Super Bowl LVII. This was a big deal because he was the first announcer other than Jim Nantz, Joe Buck, or Al Michaels to call a Super Bowl since 2004.
People praised Kevin for his work in his first season as Fox's lead announcer and during the Super Bowl. They said he was good at showing excitement when needed and keeping the games interesting. During Super Bowl LVII, he was praised for giving important details, like explaining a play even when a touchdown call was changed.
Personal Life
Kevin Burkhardt is married to Rachel, and they have a son together.
