Tom Jackson, a longtime fixture in ESPN's NFL programming, is "not likely" to return to "Sunday NFL Countdown" this season, the New York Daily News reported Monday.
No final decision has been made, the report said, but Jackson's departure from ESPN's popular Sunday pregame show could spell the end to his 28-year run with the network.
“He’s still weighing his options,” a source told the Daily News. “This will be Tommy’s call. It’s up to him. Tommy’s driving the train on this one. The situation is fluid.”
In a Pro Football Talk report, which cited "multiple industry sources," ESPN's June re-hiring of Trent Dilfer in an expanded role was tied to the belief that Jackson "won’t be coming back.”
ESPN has overhauled its NFL coverage this offseason.
The network announced Cris Carter, Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Ditka all would be leaving their roles with "Countdown," replaced by Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson, for the 2016 NFL season. And it was reported in May that Chris Berman, Jackson's longtime friend and broadcast partner, plans to retire following the season.
Berman, through his agent, disputed the report.
Jackson, 65, has been teamed with Berman since Jackson started at ESPN in 1987 following a 14-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos.
A member of the Broncos' Ring of Honor, Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler and played in two Super Bowls. He was recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for excellence in broadcasting.
No final decision has been made, the report said, but Jackson's departure from ESPN's popular Sunday pregame show could spell the end to his 28-year run with the network.
“He’s still weighing his options,” a source told the Daily News. “This will be Tommy’s call. It’s up to him. Tommy’s driving the train on this one. The situation is fluid.”
In a Pro Football Talk report, which cited "multiple industry sources," ESPN's June re-hiring of Trent Dilfer in an expanded role was tied to the belief that Jackson "won’t be coming back.”
ESPN has overhauled its NFL coverage this offseason.
The network announced Cris Carter, Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Ditka all would be leaving their roles with "Countdown," replaced by Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson, for the 2016 NFL season. And it was reported in May that Chris Berman, Jackson's longtime friend and broadcast partner, plans to retire following the season.
Berman, through his agent, disputed the report.
Jackson, 65, has been teamed with Berman since Jackson started at ESPN in 1987 following a 14-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos.
A member of the Broncos' Ring of Honor, Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler and played in two Super Bowls. He was recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for excellence in broadcasting.
hno:
forgot GB2 is the RX photo journalist :toast:
