logo
Jimmy Johnson retires from Fox Sports' NFL coverage after 31 years

Jimmy Johnson retires from Fox Sports' NFL coverage after 31 years

Yahoo03-03-2025

Jimmy Johnson, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who won two Super Bowls and a college national championship, announced his retirement from Fox Sports on Monday after being a part of its NFL coverage for 31 years.
The 81-year-old Johnson made the announcement during an appearance on 'The Herd With Colin Cowherd.'
'The most fun I ever had in my career, that's counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at Fox Sports,' he said, adding that he loved working for CEO Eric Shanks and Fox NFL Sunday producer Bill Richards.
'But I've made an extremely difficult decision,' he said. '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.'
Johnson worked alongside hosts Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw and analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan.
'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 said in a statement posted to social media. 'Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight and signature humor.'
Menefee said Johnson informed him last week about his decision. Menefee added that two years ago the crew had what was thought to be a going-away dinner for Johnson in Los Angeles at the end of the season, but that Johnson later opted to return.
'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 said. '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.'
Johnson won Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1992 and '93 seasons and the college football national championship with Miami in 1987. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Menefee said the announcement of Johnson's induction during halftime of an NFC divisional-round game in January 2020 remains one of the top moments since Fox Sports began carrying the NFL in 1994.
'I don't think there's anything that we have done in the 31 years of Fox Sports has been remotely close to that, because I think not only did it mean so much to Jimmy, you saw how much it meant to the people who care about Jimmy," Menefee said Monday afternoon by phone. "I think everything that Fox Sports is got encapsulated in that one moment for the whole world to see.'
Johnson coached the Cowboys for five seasons, stepping down after winning his second Lombardi Trophy, and three months later was hired as a Fox NFL pregame show analyst. Johnson's split with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was acrimonious, and it wasn't until Dec. 30, 2023, that Jones put Johnson in the team's ring of honor. Johnson and Tom Landry are the only coaches alongside the 19 players and two executives in the exclusive group of one of the NFL's storied franchises.
Johnson left Fox in 1996 to become general manager and coach of the Miami Dolphins. He returned in 2002.
Johnson's coaching career started in 1965 as an assistant at Louisiana Tech, Bradshaw's alma mater. He became a head coach for the first time in 1979, at Oklahoma State, and left after five years for Miami, where he went 52-9 with two No. 2 finishes to go with his 1987 title.
'It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you,' Strahan posted on X. 'You're truly one of a kind and thanks for being you and gifting me with one of the best friendships anyone could ever ask for. Hope you enjoy fishing and drinking beers on the boat. You deserve it, love you Coach!'
Johnson reposted Strahan's well wishes and added a message: 'Michael, going to miss sitting next to you but I'll be watching.'
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
The Associated Press

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Titans' Jeffery Simmons sheds 20 pounds, aims for more sacks in 2025
Titans' Jeffery Simmons sheds 20 pounds, aims for more sacks in 2025

Associated Press

time30 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Titans' Jeffery Simmons sheds 20 pounds, aims for more sacks in 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan and Jeffery Simmons both agree on what they want to see more this upcoming season from the Titans defensive lineman. More sacks. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman had just five sacks in 2024, his fewest since his second NFL season in 2020. Simmons ranked third on the Titans behind linebacker Harold Landry III, released in March, and linebacker Arden Key. Worse, the Titans tied Carolina with 32 sacks for third fewest in the NFL behind only New England (28) and Atlanta (31). Callahan said the goal is to see Simmons do more than just affect quarterbacks and take those players to the ground more. He knows the six-year veteran and first-round pick in 2019 can be better at that. He also believes Simmons is driven to do just that. 'He's always working at something, and I think he's grown as a person,' Callahan said Tuesday. 'He continues to grow as a player. You'd like to feel like he's sort of hitting his prime at this point with the experience that he has and the amount he's played to get the best version of Jeff this year.' Simmons was on the field as the Titans started their mandatory three-day minicamp Tuesday. Simmons said he's lost about 20 pounds and weighed in Tuesday morning at 301. The Titans have been talking about how to improve their sack numbers. Simmons said it's a big emphasis for him and the defense knowing that simply pressuring quarterbacks doesn't win games. 'We got to stop saying just affect the quarterback,' Simmons said. 'We've got to sack the quarterbacks.' Simmons, the 19th pick in 2019 from Mississippi State, finds himself as the longest-tenured member of the Titans' defense along with safety Amani Hooker, a fourth-round pick that same draft out of Iowa. Tennessee is trying to snap a skid of three straight losing seasons, the last a 3-14 mark in Callahan's debut as head coach. Simmons is a key piece of a defense that ranked second in the NFL in giving up 177.3 yards passing and 311.2 total yards per game. The Titans also were 26th against the run, allowing 133.9 yards and 30th in points per game (27.1). That led to Simmons' absence from the voluntary offseason program being criticized by outsiders. Simmons said working out on his own was a personal decision. 'It was a lot of different things that I did,' Simmons said. 'The biggest thing was being consistent with my every day living from my meal prep to the way I was training. ... I weighed in today on a good note.' Simmons showed off his speed carrying fewer pounds, breaking through at one point for what would have been a sack of rookie Cam Ward — the No. 1 overall draft pick. Simmons also gave Ward a nice taste of trash talking having heard how good the rookie is at that part of football. 'I haven't spent much time around them and talking smack to me and get back in the huddle and able to operate the offense, that's exciting,' Simmons said. 'And like I say, he got a lot of confidence.' Waiting on Sneed Callahan said cornerback L'Jarius Sneed probably won't be seen during this minicamp on the field. The Titans traded for Sneed last offseason, and the two-time Super Bowl champ played only five games before landing on injured reserve. The Titans coach said what they've seen from Sneed has been fantastic and they know his track record as a player. Now Callahan said Sneed has to prove that in Tennessee, which he hasn't done yet. 'We just hope we need to get that version of him out here for us,' Callahan said. ___ AP NFL:

Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp
Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp

Yahoo

time31 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp

Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Over offseason after their Super Bowl LIX win, the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the NFL world with the trade of a key safety that helped hold off the Kansas City Chiefs. Advertisement The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for former first-round pick Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round selection, even after Gardner-Johnson posted six interceptions last season. Months after the trade, Gardner-Johnson has talked about the trade and even took to social media recently to seemingly respond to comments made by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. At a workout and interview with Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Gardner-Johnson talked about being "disrespected" by the offseason buzz. "I feel highly disrespected, but it's a business,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want? Advertisement 'People say, 'He's a hazard, he's this, he's that.' I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain't going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I'm probably going to win the next three. I'm going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch.' Gardner-Johnson, 27, has set his sights on Super Bowl LX with the Texans. Houston is a franchise with a talented roster, especially its stacked defense, but they've never reached the AFC title game before with six losses in the divisional round of the playoffs. Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson before Super Bowl Streicher-Imagn Images Regardless, Gardner-Johnson is eager to join head coach DeMeco Ryans' squad and make an immediate impact. Advertisement "I can't speak for everybody, but I know that we're gonna get in there and be at the top at the end of the year and have a chance to compete for a championship," Gardner-Johnson said. 'I think that's why I'm here. I'm proud to be a Texan. I want to make coach Ryans proud. Coming together and trying to win one together, it would be kind of amazing.' Related: C.J. Stroud Puts Injury Concerns to Rest This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen shows off new ring following marriage to actor Hailee Steinfeld
Bills quarterback Josh Allen shows off new ring following marriage to actor Hailee Steinfeld

Fox Sports

time34 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

Bills quarterback Josh Allen shows off new ring following marriage to actor Hailee Steinfeld

Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen's broad grin was familiar. The wedding band on the quarterback's ring finger was brand new. As much as Allen hoped to talk about the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, the newlywed couldn't escape questions about his headline-grabbing marriage to actor/singer Hailee Steinfeld in Southern California on May 31. 'We're back to football,' he said, before pointing to his ring finger. 'Got some hardware now. So, good to go.' Allen was otherwise short on details as part of his longstanding bid to maintain a semblance of privacy, even though pictures from the outdoor wedding were posted on social media mere minutes after the couple exchanged 'I do's.' There were pictures of Steinfeld wearing a strapless white gown walking down the aisle, the couple sharing a kiss, and Allen, in a black tuxedo, posing with friends and Bills teammates. It wasn't until being asked about what the past four months have meant to him — in which Allen was named NFL MVP in February, signed one of the league's richest contracts in March and got married in May — that Allen finally opened up. He called Steinfeld his best friend, and said she makes everything easier. 'That was the most important decision I'll make in my life and I made the right one,' Allen said. Western New York and the NFL have a new power couple, both of whom happen to be from California and began dating two years ago. There's the 29-year-old Allen, who in seven seasons has set most of the Bills scoring and passing records. His star has continued to rise while he has transformed the Bills into an AFC power, also building his profile through various national commercials. And then there's Steinfeld, 28, who first gained fame by earning an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her role as Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers' 2010 remake of 'True Grit.' She has since enjoyed numerous starring roles, most recently in the movie 'Sinners,' while also branching out into music. Amid the buzz, Allen brought the focus back to football as Buffalo opened a three-day mandatory set of practices. The quarterback skipped the team's voluntary sessions last week. Aside from taking his familiar spot leading the offense on the field, Allen spent time after practice being filmed to measure his footwork and mechanics. It's something Allen does several times a year to ensure he's not picking up bad habits. 'Making sure we're staying on top of those things and if there's something that we need to tweak for the better, we are going to try to do it,' he said. The same could be said of Allen's unflinching approach to dealing with the spotlight. Coach Sean McDermott credits the quarterback for staying true to himself. 'What I've seen is this truly genuine, authentic person who, yes, is in the limelight, yes, is one of the top players in our league, and maybe the top player in the NFL,' McDermott said. 'But he is so authentic, so down-to-earth, so relatable. I think that's really the connection and the cool piece about Josh is because he is who he is.' And yes, McDermott was among those in attendance at the wedding. 'I was very grateful to be there, No. 1,' McDermott said. 'Two, it was what you would expect of a wedding. Just great to see, and two really special families coming together.' ___ AP NFL: recommended in this topic

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store