Tom Jackson will retire from ESPN after 29 years, the veteran broadcaster announced on Wednesday.
After a 14-year career playing for the Denver Broncos, Jackson joined ESPN in 1987 as an NFL analyst, forming a nearly three-decade-long partnership with Chris Berman on “NFL PrimeTime.” Jackson has also become known for his work on ESPN’s “NFL Sunday Countdown,” as well as the company’s other year-round NFL coverage.
Jackson will make his final appearance on the network with the Pro Football Hall of Fame broadcast this weekend.
“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 in a statement.
“Having joined in the early stages of ESPN and remained with the same company for 29 years is especially gratifying,” he continued. “The friendships made are too numerous to mention, but I know that many of them will last a lifetime. I also want to thank all the fans who supported me over the years and made my job so enjoyable. This move just comes at a time when the priority of my life is spending time with my family.”
“Tom has been an integral part of ESPN’s presentation of the NFL for three decades,” said ESPN president John Skipper. “His partnership with Chris Berman has been a signature for us and a treasure for fans. His influence as a trusted voice and mentor for the generation of players who followed him is an important part of his legacy. Tom is as widely respected internally as anyone in our company, not to mention beloved. He has been a pleasure to work with and he will always be an ESPN family member.”