Sam Ponder opens up on relationship with colleagues in rare words on ESPN after firing
The former host of 'Sunday NFL Countdown,' who was let go as part of the network's cost-cutting layoffs last summer, revealed Monday in a fan Q&A on Instagram that she's still close with her former 'College GameDay' colleagues, Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis and David Pollack.
'David Pollack is stuck with me as the big brother I never (jk) wanted, and I was texting with Kirk Herbstreit the day before I got fired,' Ponder, 39, said when asked if she still talks to the 'College GameDay' crew, adding a crying laughing emoji.
4 Former ESPN host Sam Ponder explained that she's still close with her former 'College GameDay' colleagues, Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis and David Pollack in a fan Q&A on her Instagram Story on Monday.
Instagram/Sam Ponder/Kirk Herbstreit
4 Ponder was fired from ESPN after 13 years with the company.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
'Rece Davis is my forever favorite. I'll never forget how all 3 of them loved Jesus and treated people. I will be a 'college gameday' fan as long as they continue to make it about the people. It's such a special show.'
Herbstreit reposted her message — which has since expired — on his own Instagram Story, according to Athlon Sports.
Ponder first joined ESPN in 2011, working mostly in the college football space. She contributed to and hosted 'College GameDay' from 2012-16, and worked as an in-game sideline reporter in 2016.
4 Kirk Herbstreit sits on the set of ESPN 'College GameDay' prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on December 21, 2024.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
She was promoted to 'Sunday NFL Countdown' in 2017, joining a signature program that airs Sunday mornings prior to 1 p.m. ET kickoffs, with an analyst desk that features Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi and Rex Ryan.
ESPN's Mike Greenberg — who also hosts 'NBA Countdown' and the daily morning program 'Get Up' — replaced Ponder as the host of 'Sunday NFL Countdown.'
Ponder, who has yet to announce her next gig, wasn't the only notable ESPN football personality to be removed from the network's lineup in advance of the 2024 college and pro campaigns.
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III was also let go with years left on his contract.
4 The Liberty University alum joined ESPN in 2011.
Getty Images for SiriusXM
Griffin reportedly landed a job with Fox Sports in April.
Ponder, the wife of former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, made waves on social media last summer over controversial female boxer Imane Khelif, who won Olympic gold at the Paris Games.
'ENOUGH is what all of us should be saying!! Proud of this woman,' Ponder wrote, quoting a post about Italian Angela Carini, who withdrew from her opening bout with Khelif.
Ponder also expressed support for President Donald Trump after his assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last July.
Nonetheless, reports suggest that Ponder was removed not for her political beliefs, but instead for cost-cutting purposes as ESPN alters its programming.
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