Tony Gonzalez, one of the best NFL tight ends in history, is definitely not going to play another season for the Atlanta Falcons. The former player will be joining CBS’ pre-game broadcast, NFL Today, starting next season. However, Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino are both leaving.
“Having just stepped off the playing field, Tony brings a fresh and insightful perspective," CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. “As a future Hall of Famer, we are excited for him to share his knowledge, experiences and opinions with our viewers. Tony was one of the most respected and hardworking players in the NFL and a tremendous teammate.”
James Brown, Boomer Esiason and Bill Cowher will remain, but Sharpe and Marino are out the door. McManus recognized their contribution to the show, adding, “Dan and Shannon are true Hall of Famers on the field and in front of the camera. As they pursue other professional opportunities, we thank them for their hard work and dedication and wish them nothing but the best.”
Gonzalez was a well-respected figure in the NFL and should make the transition to media analyst easily. During his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Falcons, Gonzalez set the tight end records for most touchdowns (111) and most yards (15,127). He also has the second-most receptions overall with 1,325.
It’s not clear what jobs Marino and sharpe left CBS for. Yahoo Sports notes that it has been rumored that Marino might return to the franchise he lead for decades as a quarterback, the Miami Dolphins.
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