NEW YORK (SI.com) -- Joe Theismann will not return as an analyst on "Monday Night Football" this season, according to reports from Newsday and The New York Times.
When reached by phone, according to Newsday, Theismann would neither confirm nor deny the report, and added he could not respond publicly "until I fully understand what has taken place."
A Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Redskins and ESPN NFL commentator since 1988, Theismann, 57, was apparently informed of his removal on Friday. But Newsday quoted an ESPN spokesman as saying "we have nothing to announce."
In ESPN's first year of MNF, Theismann paired with Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser. Media critics often pointed out the lack of cohesion between Theismann and Kornheiser, even though the Washington D.C.-based personalities have known each other for more than 25 years.
Theismann's replacement could be current ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski. Other names bandied about include Bill Parcells (who recently signed with ESPN) and Emmitt Smith, the league's all-time rushing leader. An official announcement could come Monday.
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When reached by phone, according to Newsday, Theismann would neither confirm nor deny the report, and added he could not respond publicly "until I fully understand what has taken place."
A Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Redskins and ESPN NFL commentator since 1988, Theismann, 57, was apparently informed of his removal on Friday. But Newsday quoted an ESPN spokesman as saying "we have nothing to announce."
In ESPN's first year of MNF, Theismann paired with Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser. Media critics often pointed out the lack of cohesion between Theismann and Kornheiser, even though the Washington D.C.-based personalities have known each other for more than 25 years.
Theismann's replacement could be current ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski. Other names bandied about include Bill Parcells (who recently signed with ESPN) and Emmitt Smith, the league's all-time rushing leader. An official announcement could come Monday.
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