You might know Brenda Song as a Disney darling, actor, and one-half of my favorite unexpected Hollywood couple.
NBC / Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
Brenda Song has been in a relationship with Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin since 2017, and they have two children. They are my relationship goals forever and always.
As of this week, however, you can now add "NFL" to her already-staggering résumé.
Song made her on-screen debut as a guest NFL color analyst on Aug. 22 during the pre-season game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints, where she was in the broadcast booth, showcasing her elite football knowledge.
If you, like me, assumed a color analyst was someone who tells you if you're a cool autumn or a warm winter, let me explain.
Color analysts are essential to sports commentary. While the primary analyst provides a play-by-play of the game, the color analyst offers background information and additional entertainment to keep audiences engaged. They’re literally providing color to the game.
Four people are seated in front of a Rams-themed backdrop, wearing headsets, likely participating in a sports broadcast or interview
Four people are seated in front of a Rams-themed backdrop, wearing headsets, likely participating in a sports broadcast or interview
NFL / Via youtube.com
While this may seem totally out of the blue to some fans, Song has always been a die-hard Los Angeles sports fan and has been seen at several Rams and Lakers games in the past.
We mic'd up Brenda Song for Game 2. You're welcome. pic.twitter.com/NsbJZBVTMb
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 25, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers / Via x.com
Most notably, her 2025 appearance on Mythical Kitchen's Last Meals went super-viral for her surprisingly detailed response about the LA Rams' defensive strategy. Host Josh Scherer asked her, "If you're the Rams defensive coordinator, what would you have done to prevent Saquon Barkley from running for 200 yards in consecutive games against the Rams?"
Two people seated at a round table, chatting and holding cards, with desserts in front of them and a mural on the wall behind
Two people seated at a round table, chatting and holding cards, with desserts in front of them and a mural on the wall behind
Mythical Kitchen / Via youtube.com
In case you don’t speak football, here’s what these terms mean:
Defensive coordinator: the coach who manages the defensive team.
Saquon Barkley: Philadelphia Eagles running back.
Running back: catches the ball from the quarterback and runs the ball into the end zone to score points.
I cannot explain every position on a football team right now, but just know, he basically asked Brenda Song, "How would you have done this better?" And she locked in.
Song immediately launched into a tactical analysis of what the Rams are missing, calling out to their defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, and explaining how she would fix it. You can watch the clip here.
Person gesturing while speaking, wearing a red-collared shirt under a dark vest, in a studio setting with plants in the background
Mythical Kitchen / Via youtube.com
The internet quickly lost its collective mind, earning her the title of "ball-knower."
Person reacting thoughtfully with a social media overlay discussing unexpected sports knowledge
@tejfbanalytics / Mythical Kitchen / Via x.com
That awe-inspiring tangent actually led her to announce the official Rams schedule just a few weeks later.
News anchor at a desk giving an update on the LA Rams schedule, with graphics and logos in the background
News anchor at a desk giving an update on the LA Rams schedule, with graphics and logos in the background
@RamsNFL / Via x.com
Fast-forward to the Aug. 22 game, and while Song was only a guest analyst, she loved every minute of it. When asked how she was feeling about commentating from the sidelines, she exclaimed, "This is my dream right here to be standing here with you guys talking about my favorite thing in the world, which is Rams football."
Five people stand in a sports broadcasting booth, some wearing headsets, during a Rams game against the Saints
Five people stand in a sports broadcasting booth, some wearing headsets, during a Rams game against the Saints
NFL / Via youtube.com
Here's a preview of her commentary:
Brenda Song makes her NFL analyst debut with the Los Angeles Rams 👏
(📺 @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/AxqvQTqQSt
— espnW (@espnW) August 22, 2026
@espnW / @RamsNFL / Via x.com
Just a lil Brenda magic. ✨ pic.twitter.com/i5eSiEBe9x
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 23, 2026
Los Angeles Rams / Via x.com
While Song was seemingly ecstatic about her broadcast debut, somehow, the internet was even more excited:
"Song is a lifelong Rams fan and looked like a veteran talking football."
Two women wearing headsets sit and talk in a broadcast setting. One wears a white Rams shirt, and they appear engaged in conversation
@NFL_DovKleiman / @RamsNFL / Via x.com
"Brenda Song being on the call for this is so elite"
Tweet about an NFL game, mentioning Brenda Song on the call and a pick-6 play by Alex Cook
@ohhhthatsMari / @NFL / Via x.com
"Brenda Song might be the best color commentator in NFL history"
Tweet about Brenda Song being a great NFL commentator, with a video of a Rams pick-six against the Saints
Tweet about Brenda Song being a great NFL commentator, with a video of a Rams pick-six against the Saints
@jetsfan24x7 / @NFL / Via x.com
It's unclear whether she will make more guest appearances, but sports fans and Brenda Song fans can catch her on Netflix's Running Point until then.
Two women in a stylish office setting, one standing dressed in a chic patterned blazer, the other leaning on a desk, wearing a light-colored blazer
Katrina Marcinowski / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection