Just like Bryant Gumbel, every week, Gear Up For Sports focuses its attention on an outstanding individual in the sports world: Incredible players, irrepressible managers, brilliant franchise owners, true titans and heroes. This week, heading into Super Bowl XLIII, we’re pleased to profile the Fox Football Robot. The Robot’s career has been fraught with adversity and criticism, and yet his routine of pompous calisthenics and finger wagging continues through every football bumper shown on Fox. We asked him what it’s like to be at the center of the whirlwind of media attention.

Your career spans over 3 full football seasons, while most bumper programs only last a season. What do you believe is your appeal?

I’m controversial. I’m a lightning rod. Look, I’m exciting. . . people want to see that. Why do you think those games have such high ratings? I’m a part of that. My act is timeless. Madden will go off the air before I do. I kill it every time. Kill it. I watched those X-Games the other night, and that’s the kind of killer enthusiasm I generate. [Pauses] Kill it.

So what do you think drives some websites, and even Conan O’Brien, to demand that Fox do away with you and your. . .

[Interrupts] Whoa whoa whoa. Look, bro, I’m doing this interview as a favor to Joe Buck. I don’t need this. They said this was going to be some bullshit fluff piece, not 60 Minutes.  Who are you with again

Well, then let’s talk about some of your on air work. Are the moves choreographed? Or is it all ad-libbed?

You can’t choreograph talent like mine. That’s like asking Mohammed Ali if his fights were staged. I trained under MC Hammer, and that shows.

Do you have a favorite spot?

Maybe you need a journalism degree or something. I hear that online Phoenix University is good. Or maybe you need a TV. After this interview, I’m gonna take you out and buy you a nice TV.  Every move I make is golden. Have you seen me with the pom-poms? Seen me transform into the FOX logo? Seen me point at that camera?  Nobody on TV struts and points like me. Not Kobe. Not Lebron. Not T.O. Not Moss. Nobody.

Nonetheless, you must have heard some of the criticism.

Well yeah, of course, of course, bro. But all the greats have their detractors. I had toasters thrown at me in Philadelphia, man. Toasters.  You know what that looks like? You know what a football field covered in toasters and cheese steaks looks like? Sad, man. . . that shit is sad. But you can’t let that detract from your positive attitude. Have you seen my action figure? It’s killer.

Does the idea of a younger, newer model coming in to take over your spot worry you?

Two words for you: Brett Favre.

Last year, you ran a promotional set of bumpers featuring the Terminator’s T-800 robot. What was that like?

Why you asking me these questions? Let’s talk about my massive shoulder pads. Or how about why I’m #34. A lot of people think that’s just some made up shit, but there’s a reason for that.

We heard there was some commotion with the T-800. Is that true?

[Clearly exasperated] Look, maybe you haven’t seen those movies. But that thing is a killing machine. . . and on top of that, a prima donna. It demanded to be lit a certain way, wanted all the fights to go its way. . . and a whiner. And in my spots. What a downer that was. I’m the face of Fox Football, and I kill it. Fox and I went around and around on that, bro.  Round and round.

Are you doing anything to prepare for the Super Bowl?

[Chuckles] Nah. That’s just another game to me. Who is playing anyway?

Arizona Cardinals and the Pitts…

[Interrupts] Yeah yeah, that’s right. The Pirates. Great. Favre’s in that, right?

Well your network isn’t covering the Super Bowl this year. What will you be doing?

I’ll probably hit up a Gentlemen’s Club.