Long-Time NFL Analyst Jimmy Johnson Retires from Fox Sports
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson will retire from Fox Sports after 31 years of covering NFL games.
While on THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD, Johnson shared that “The most fun I ever had in my career — that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships — was at Fox Sports.”
“But I’ve made an extremely difficult decision,” the two-time Super Bowl champion continued. “I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys. I’ll see them occasionally. It’s been a great run starting 31 years ago.”
Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks spoke about Johnson’s retirement and offered his congratulations for his long-running career.
“Jimmy Johnson was there when FOX NFL SUNDAY came on-air for the first time 31 years ago, and since then has been a cherished member of our Fox Sports family, which makes today’s retirement news bittersweet,” Shanks began.
“Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight and signature humor,” the CEO added. “From his motivating pep talks to his unmatched energy over the years, he was our coach who always pushed us to be better. We’re incredibly grateful for his contributions in making FOX NFL SUNDAY the top pregame show on TV, where we shared countless memorable moments, highlighted by surprising him live on-air with the news he was being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — an occasion we will never forget.”
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“Coach will be sincerely missed and we wish him the best as he sets sail into retirement, like only Jimmy Johnson can,” Shanks concluded.
According to AP News, Johnson worked side-by-side with Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw along with analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan.”
“We caught lightning in a bottle. Chemistry is hard to forecast and duplicate. We came out of the gate at number one and it’s been that way for 31 years,” Long said of his dear friend. “We’ve grown to love one another. And the thing I go back to is what I said to him as he were walking off the field (at the Super Bowl). I’ve never seen him this happy.”
“The reason he did decide to come back before was because there was a hesitation. This time he was 100 percent confident that this is the right thing for him to do at this time and with his family,” Menefee added. “I think we all hope we get to go out into the sunset the way that we want, and he certainly has been able to do that.”
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