Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Two NFL legends are joining ESPN as analysts for the 2011 season.
The network on Wednesday announced the additions of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice and two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells.
Parcells, who returns to ESPN after most recently working in the Miami Dolphins’ front office, will make his first appearance on “Monday Night Countdown” on Aug. 15 before the New York Jets-Houston Texans preseason game.
He will make his regular-season “Monday Night Countdown” debut Sept. 12 in Miami, at a game featuring two of his former teams — the Dolphins against the New England Patriots.
He also will make appearances during the season on “Sunday NFL Countdown” and contribute to two “SportsCenter Special” shows: “Super Bowl Confidential” and “Draft Confidential.”
Parcells previously was an ESPN analyst in 2007 (“Monday Night Countdown”) and 2002 (“Sunday NFL Countdown”).
“Over my years in football, I’ve had the good fortune of building terrific relationships with some of the folks at ESPN. Some of them are familiar faces to the viewers and some are smart and talented people behind the scenes. I look forward to working with many of those same people again and sharing my opinions and perspective with viewers throughout the NFL season,” Parcells said in a statement from the network.
Rice will make his first appearance as an ESPN analyst on the Sept. 15 edition of “Audibles,” from ESPN’s Los Angeles studio. The show, which debates topics based on fans’ suggestions, also will feature Steve Young, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who threw 85 touchdown passes to Rice.
Rice, a three-time Super Bowl champion, also will appear on “NFL Live” and “SportsCenter” from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios during the 2011 season.
“I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life working for ESPN as an NFL analyst,” Rice said in the statement. “Throughout my career, I recognized ESPN was the best place to go for NFL information and analysis and I am honored to join their great team. For my part, I am going to work as hard as humanly possible to bring viewers the best insights and opinions on issues around the league.”
Parcells is ninth all-time on the NFL’s coaching victory list and has a 183-138-1 record in 19 seasons with the New York Giants, Patriots, Jets and Dallas Cowboys. He led the Giants to Super Bowl victories in 1986 and 1990.
After 20 NFL seasons, Rice boasts most of the all-time receiving records, including receptions (1,549); receiving yards (22,895 yards); most 1,000-yard seasons (14); total touchdowns (208); and combined net yards (23,546). The 13-time Pro Bowl selection was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, the first season he was eligible.
“They are among the most respected names in the game, and we’re thrilled fans will have the opportunity to hear their insights as part of ESPN’s comprehensive NFL coverage,” Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production, said in the statement.
–ESPN
