Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Tom Jackson Announces Retirement From ESPN

Longtime NFL Analyst and Hall of Fame broadcaster, Tom Jackson, is calling it a career.

uSports reported Jackson would be leaving the worldwide leader last week, but TJ made the announcement official Wednesday, retiring from ESPN after 29 years of service.

Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Tom Jackson Announces Retirement

“I have been blessed in my adult life to work for two companies, the Denver Broncos and ESPN, to do two things that I love — play football and talk about football,” Jackson said Wednesday. “Having joined in the early stages of ESPN and remained with the same company for 29 years is especially gratifying. This move just comes at a time when the priority of my life is spending time with my family.”

Jackson was slated to close the book with co-host Chris Berman after the 2016 NFL season, Berman’s last under contract and what would have been their 30th year together, but word surfaced last week that Jackson was looking adjourn the partnership.

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Before he made it to the ESPN studios in Bristol, Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler for the Denver Broncos at linebacker, playing 14 seasons for the Orange Crush defense.

He has spent the bulk of his career at ESPN working on NFL Sunday/Monday Countdown, still the premiere pregame shows in the country despite slipping in the rating the last few years. But it was his work with Berman on NFL Primetime that allowed the audience to see Jackson’s personality.

After joining the worldwide leader in 1987, it was apparent to colleagues that Jackson took just as much time and effort to diagnose highlights as he did offensive schemes as a player.

“Tom Jackson prepares for every Sunday Countdown and every Monday Countdown as if he was going to play a game for the Denver Broncos and the Orange Crush,” said longtime colleague and NFL Insider Chris Mortensen.

Jackson also earned an Emmy in 2009 for his work as a studio analyst.

Over the years, Jackson’s role changed form from offering player’s perspective to game film analysis, to the social voice of NFL broadcasters.

“He really was the first NFL Analyst to address the social issues that were going on,” said Seth Markham, ESPN’s senior coordinating producer. “On and off the field.”

Jackson addressed the domestic abuse problems that have plagued the NFL in recent years, as well as the hazing scandal that pushed Jonathan Martin out of Miami.

He will be remembered as a pioneer for the flagship sports network in the nation.

“Tom long ago became almost a brother to me,” Berman said of his longtime colleague. “I know every day he appeared on ESPN was a treasure for football fans. His knowledge, his passion, his insight, and his overall joie de vivre makes him special.”