*And just like that. ESPN has parted ways with football analyst Robert Griffin III and host Samantha Ponder, according to a report from The Athletic. The decision is part of broader budgetary evaluations by Disney, ESPN’s parent company, as it approaches the end of its fiscal year.
Robert Griffin III, also known as RG3, joined ESPN in 2021 as a college football and NFL analyst after a notable career as an NFL quarterback. The former Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor University has been a key figure on ESPN’s coverage, particularly on “Monday Night Countdown,” which he joined for the 2022 season.
Despite having two years left on his contract, Griffin’s seven-figure annual salary will be honored, the report states. This offseason, he had been replaced on “Monday Night Countdown” by Jason Kelce, former center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Griffin’s journey to ESPN was paved with significant accomplishments and challenges. Born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1990, he grew up in a military family. His breakout college career at Baylor saw him win the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2011. Griffin entered the NFL as the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, selected by the Washington Redskins.
His rookie season was remarkable, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading Washington to the playoffs. Unfortunately, his career was plagued by injuries, notably a severe knee injury, which hindered his performance in subsequent seasons. Griffin played eight seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens, mainly in backup roles. He recorded a career total of 9,271 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,809 yards with 10 rushing scores.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 15, 2024
Griffin’s departure comes as he posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) addressing the news.
In a parallel move, Samantha Ponder, the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown,” has also been released. Ponder had been a mainstay at ESPN since 2011, contributing to shows such as “Saturday Night Football” on ABC and “College GameDay.” Her exit alongside Griffin’s is part of ESPN’s annual budgetary review process.
The report suggests that possible replacements for Ponder on “Sunday NFL Countdown” include Laura Rutledge, host of “NFL Live,” and Mike Greenberg, who currently hosts “Get Up.”
The abrupt exits of Griffin and Ponder mark a significant change in ESPN’s football coverage and highlight the ongoing financial adjustments within the larger corporate structure of Disney. As the network prepares for the upcoming football season, fans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the quality and delivery of the content they have come to expect from ESP
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