Denver Broncos Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson has the longest tenure — 19 years — of any NFL studio analyst currently on television.
Jackson played 14 seasons in the NFL — all with the Broncos. Since his retirement, Jackson has been a fixture at ESPN>
"It's been quite a ride. I don't know that I ever thought about how long (a career in television) was going to last," Jackson said. "I approached it like football — just keep doing it. It goes so fast, season-to-season."
Jackson has seen numerous changes in the how the networks have approached pregame coverage for the NFL. "The business of analyzing the NFL became a business unto itself," he said. "The competitive nature took a spike 10, 11, 12 years ago. Networks are under a lot more scrutiny, pressure to produce ratings."
Jackson never won a Super Bowl as a player, but he has hoisted several Emmy awards for broadcasting. After receiving his first, he said, "I felt I had made a complete transition from on the field to this profession in TV."
NOTEWORTHY
› Comedy Central show host Carlos Mencias visited Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith after Monday night's game.
Reader comments
Bronco fans are proud to have Tom Jackson, former Bronco, representing on a national level. His intelligent commentary is exactly what i look for on a pre-game or wrap up show. No gimmicks. No loud-mouth style like his co-hort Michael Irvin. Tom's even-keeled approach is ideal for an nfl pre-game show, and his knowledge of the game is perfect to summarize events afterwards. Other shows quickly turn into a shouting match between hosts who don't agree, and are un-watchable because of it. Isn't it a beautiful thing when a Bronco fan can turn on an nfl pre-game and see former Bronco Tom Jackson....change the channel, there's Terrel Davis, change it again and you've got Shannon Sharpe. Go back to the beginning and there's Stink breakin' down the game. No other team is represented like the Mighty Denver Broncos.
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Bronco fans are proud to have Tom Jackson, former Bronco, representing on a national level. His intelligent commentary is exactly what i look for on a pre-game or wrap up show. No gimmicks. No loud-mouth style like his co-hort Michael Irvin. Tom's even-keeled approach is ideal for an nfl pre-game show, and his knowledge of the game is perfect to summarize events afterwards. Other shows quickly turn into a shouting match between hosts who don't agree, and are un-watchable because of it. Isn't it a beautiful thing when a Bronco fan can turn on an nfl pre-game and see former Bronco Tom Jackson....change the channel, there's Terrel Davis, change it again and you've got Shannon Sharpe. Go back to the beginning and there's Stink breakin' down the game. No other team is represented like the Mighty Denver Broncos.
Posted by Avalanche_in.Az on September 27, 2005 07:50 AM