No place like Tampa, TV for former Lightning player Pat Maroon
Pat Maroon spent a lot of time in front of the camera as a player. A transition to broadcasting seems like a natural next move.
Few have a winning resume like Maroon, currently the only player to win three straight Stanley Cups — the last two with the Lightning — since the Islanders dynasty teams of the early 1980s. He’s been a leader on the ice and in the dressing room, and his fun-loving personality has made him a fan favorite everywhere he’s been, especially in Tampa Bay.
Maroon, 37, tested the broadcast waters with guest analyst work for ESPN, TNT and NHL Network while he was still a player. Since retiring at the end of last season — after 14 seasons in the NHL — Maroon and his family moved back to Tampa. This season, he is a Lightning alumni ambassador, already having participated in clinics and appearances.
But Maroon really wants to give TV a go, and he joins the Lightning’s expanded Scripps Sports broadcasts as a studio analyst, a job that will allow him to really sink his teeth into a second career.
We chatted with Maroon about returning to Tampa, the kind of voice he wants to have on game broadcasts and what he thinks of this Lightning team. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)
Since joining the team as an alumni ambassador, you’ve talked about doing more to make Tampa a place where players can retire and stay connected to the organization and each other. After you hung up your skates, why call Tampa home again?
Like I tell everyone else, we’re going to make this place home until we figure something else out. Tampa is community to us, Tampa’s family to us, we love Tampa, and we don’t see ourselves leaving anytime soon. My daughter (Goldie) was born here. (Oldest son) Anthony absolutely loves it here. Now, my youngest daughter (Estelle) is going to grow up living here. We’re just really happy to be in Tampa and the community and people that surround us. So we’re really enjoying it.
What have you learned from the TV work you’ve done in the past that will help you in this new role with Scripps Sports?
The biggest thing that I’ve learned is be yourself, you know what I mean? Sometimes I tend to get away from being myself, and I think that’s the hardest part of just being you and having fun with it and breaking down the game because that’s what we’re naturally good at, right? Naturally, we see the game and we break it down, right?
But I think being funny, being active and having your own personality show. So I’ve learned that, like, ‘Hey, don’t be so stiff up there. Start talking hockey and crack a joke.’ I think that’s what we’re gonna bring to Tampa . We’re gonna bring that little fun that they need. I’m not gonna sit there and chirp on the panel, but we’re gonna try to be more light with it, have fun, and not just like X’s and O’s.
Is there any analyst you’d like to model yourself after?
I think (TNT’s) Paul Bissonnette is probably the best guy. He’s got that fun, bubbly personality. That’s why he’s been so successful at his job because he doesn’t (care) what people think about him, and I think that’s why he’s so good. And that’s why people love him, and that’s why people sometimes hate him.
Do I think he likes the Toronto Maple Leafs like he makes it look? Absolutely not. I think it’s all for the show. And that just goes with it, right? You have to do those stuff to build the following and build something people want to watch. But for me, I played for a long time, too, so I know how to win, too, and I know what it’s like. So I’m going to have to be knowledgeable and break down the game and not just be funny all the time.
Put your analyst hat on for a moment, and tell us what you think about this season’s Lightning team: What do you like about them and what might be a concern?
Their window’s still open to win. The biggest thing for me is they signed all their key core players. Now it’s just putting in the pieces that’s going to help them get over the hump. I like their D, I do. I like their top four. I think after that, it’s kind of hit or miss, right? (Ryan) McDonagh-(Erik) Cernak is probably one of the best defensive pairs in the league. I think they’re deep enough to go on a deep run. Are we going to get a healthy (Andrei) Vasilevskiy this year? I hope so. With a healthy Vasilevskiy, I think he takes them over the hump. We’ve all seen what he’s capable of doing.
But I think there’s holes to fill on the Lightning roster. Tampa was in that dead-cap era and, and now they’re trying to get back on their feet. Now, the cap’s up, and now (Florida) gets to sign all these guys. And guys are willing to take less money. If (Nikita) Kucherov and (Brayden) Point and (Brandon) Hagel and (Jake) Guentzel and (Anthony) Cirelli are still playing at this high level, now you just fill the gaps right and try to find guys that you know will help them, right, help us solidify a third line, have your fourth line be connected.
But after the two lines, I think it’s just fill in those third-, fourth-line roles. I think what they’re lacking is maybe that fifth, sixth, seventh D man. They have a lot of guys who log 24 minutes a night. And maybe if they have a good fifth, sixth, seventh guy who can go up and down and play more than 12 minutes a night, maybe give them 14-15, it will put a lot less pressure on the big guys.
Jerry Rice Names Justin Jefferson as the Player Who Reminds Him of His Own Greatness
Considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice was asked if any current player reminds him of himself.
He answered without hesitation: “J.J. from Minnesota.”
Rice went on to gush about Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
“He pays really close attention to detail, and you can also tell that he really takes a lot of pride in his route running and what he’s able to accomplish on the football field,” Rice exclusively shared during an interview about
That is high praise — to say the least — considering Rice is a 13-time Pro Bowler who leads all players in NFL history in career receptions (1,549), receiving yards, (22,895), receiving touchdowns (197) and yards from scrimmage (23,540).
Just like Rice did in the 1980s and 1990s, the 26-year-old Jefferson is carving up the NFL record books.
He set the NFL record for most receptions (324) and receiving yards (4,825) in a player’s first three seasons in league history. His 11 career games with at least 150 receiving yards are the most by a player in their first four seasons in NFL history, and he became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30 career 100-yard receiving games, doing so in just 62 games.
If Jefferson continues his average 17-game season totals of 109 receptions and 1,628 yards, he would need about eight more seasons, including the 2025 season, to catch Rice in those categories.
Of course, NFL rules are much more passing-friendly than when Rice played from 1985 to 2004.
“Guys are getting so many balls thrown their way now. So it’s a whole different ballgame,” Rice said. “I was just very fortunate that my teammates put me in a position where I could put up so many stats.”
More than his stats, though, Rice loves Jefferson’s versatility and toughness.
“He can do it all. He’s not afraid to go across the middle,” Rice said. “He utilizes his hands, his jumping ability, his speed.”
This year Jefferson ranks fifth in the NFL with 326 receiving yards despite the Vikings’ issues at quarterback. His Week One starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, was basically in his rookie year after missing all of his 2024 season with a knee injury. Then he got hurt in Week Two, forcing backup Carson Wentz to be Jefferson’s passer in Week Three and Week Four.
But Jefferson, who signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension that included $88.7 million fully guaranteed in 2024, is still on pace for 94 catches, 1,385 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
And he’s still appointment viewing for Rice.
“When I see him, I’m going to sit back and watch,” Rice said, “just to see what he’s going to do on the football field.”
Rice’s first grandchild is even named J.J., but don’t get it twisted. He’s not named after Jefferson.
The parents are Rice’s oldest daughter, Jaqui Rice Gold, who is the CEO of G.O.A.T. Fuel, and Trevion Gold, the chief brand officer of G.O.A.T. Fuel.
Their son is officially named Trevion Jay, but to differentiate him from Trevion, who often goes by “T.J.,” they call their 1-year-old son “J.J.”
“We just thought J.J. made sense,” Jaqui said.
And perhaps he’s the next great wide receiver.
