Longtime NFL on FOX analyst Jimmy Johnson made it official on Monday – he’s stepping away from his chair on the legendary set once and for all.
Johnson, the former Super Bowl-winning head coach turned beloved analyst, announced his decision during an interview with FS1’s Colin Cowherd.
“As you know, probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my career, and that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at FOX Sports,” Johnson said on The Herd. “I have an absolute ball with my friends on the set, and the best friends I’ve ever had there with FOX.”
Johnson continued, explaining that the decision wasn’t easy to say the least.
“And I’ll tell you on top of that, I love working for Eric Shanks, our CEO, and our producer Bill Richards, but I’ve made an extremely difficult decision.
“I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from FOX, and I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys, and I’ll see them occasionally, but it has been a great run starting back 31 years ago.”
Needless to say, Johnson will be sorely missed. But with one legend retiring, fans are now wondering if Terry Bradshaw could soon be next.
In the wake of Johnson’s announcement, social media lit up with speculation about Bradshaw’s future. Many fans called for the 76-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback to step away as well…
“Jimmy Johnson is retiring from NFL broadcasting … Everybody to Terry Bradshaw:”
“Terry Bradshaw is never retiring. He’s going to keel over in the middle of a prediction one Sunday.”
“I hope Terry Bradshaw follows his lead.”
“Terry Bradshaw did make an announcement. You must have missed it. Here it is…”
However, Bradshaw isn’t ready to hang it up just yet…
Before Super Bowl LIX, Bradshaw addressed his future, revealing that he intends to work for a few more years.
“I told my wife before I left the room a while ago, I’m sitting there… I said, ‘I’ve got two years left at FOX. I’m 76. Okay, so it’s a young man’s game. I get that.’
“Everybody wants the new… If we can get to the next Super Bowl (on FOX) I’ll be 80. I think that’s time. Eighty years old, that’s pushing it.”
The four-time Super Bowl champion has even joked about how he’d like to go out – with a final, unforgettable moment on air.
“I told FOX: ‘If I could just die on the show, think about the ratings, right?… Are we not about ratings? That’d be huge. Not only that, there would be a huge carryover,” he jokingly said.
While Johnson is officially stepping away, Bradshaw is staying put – for now.
It’s no secret that Bradshaw has his fair share of critics. There’s no doubt that he’s lost a few (dozen) miles off his fastball, however, we are all going to miss him when he’s gone – even the haters.
What are your thoughts on Bradshaw catching some strays from Johnson’s retirement decision???
