View source for Sunday NFL Countdown

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Sunday NFL Countdown logo.svg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Sunday NFL Countdown logo used from 2006–2013
| alt_name = {{plainlist|
* ''NFL GameDay'' {{Nowrap|(1985–1995)}}
* ''NFL Countdown'' {{Nowrap|(1996–1997)}}
}}
| runtime = 3 hours
| starring = [[Mike Greenberg]]<br>[[Rex Ryan]]<br>[[Randy Moss]]<br>[[Alex Smith]]<br>[[Tedy Bruschi]]<br>[[Adam Schefter]]
| country = United States
| network = [[ESPN]] (1985–present)<br>ESPN HD (2004–present)
| first_aired = {{start date|1985|9|7}}
| last_aired = present
}}

'''''Sunday NFL Countdown''''' (branded as '''''Sunday NFL Countdown presented by [[Snickers]]''''' for sponsorship reasons) is an American [[pre-game show]] broadcast by [[ESPN]] as part of the network's coverage of the [[National Football League]]. The program is broadcast on Sunday mornings throughout the regular season, featuring segments highlighting news from around the league, as well as previews and analysis of the day's games. The program debuted as ''NFL GameDay'' on September 7, 1985, then was renamed as ''NFL Countdown'' in 1996, and ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' in 1998 to disambiguate it from its Monday night counterpart ''[[Monday Night Countdown]]''. During the [[NFL playoffs]], editions of the show (along with Monday Night Countdown) are titled as '''''Postseason NFL Countdown'''''.

==Format and history==
It is very similar to ''[[The NFL Today]]'' on [[CBS]] and ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]'', which airs on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]. The show's former names include ''NFL GameDay''<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Berman's Career Timeline at ESPN |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/09/espn-to-unveil-new-nfl-studios-this-week-on-sunday-nfl-countdown/ |website=espnpressroom.com |date=3 September 2014 |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204013819/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/09/espn-to-unveil-new-nfl-studios-this-week-on-sunday-nfl-countdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref> from 1985 to 1995, ''NFL Countdown'' from 1996 to 1997, and since 1998, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' (to demarcate from the [[Monday Night Countdown|Monday night version of the series]]). In 2006, the program introduced new graphics and a new logo to resemble the network's ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' logo.

[[Chris Berman]] was the studio host from 1986 to 2016,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Traina |first1=Jimmy |title=Has Chris Berman Shut the Door on Ever Hosting an NFL Show Again? |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/07/12/chris-berman-espn-nfl-si-media-podcast |website=si.com |date=12 July 2018 |publisher=ABG-SI LLC. |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713005143/https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/07/12/chris-berman-espn-nfl-si-media-podcast |url-status=live }}</ref> succeeding [[Bob Ley]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schott |first1=Ken |title=Ponder is new host of ESPN's 'Sunday NFL Countdown' |url=https://dailygazette.com/blogs/parting-schotts/ponder-new-host-espns-sunday-nfl-countdown |website=dailygazette.com |publisher=The Daily Gazette Company |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> [[Jack Youngblood]] was the first analyst. In 1987, he was replaced by [[Pete Axthelm]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=George |title=Pete Axthelm, 47, Sports Author, Columnist and TV Commentator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/04/obituaries/pete-axthelm-47-sports-author-columnist-and-tv-commentator.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233927/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/04/obituaries/pete-axthelm-47-sports-author-columnist-and-tv-commentator.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Tom Jackson (American football, born 1951)|Tom Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raissman |first1=Bob |title=EXCLUSIVE: Tom Jackson likely out at ESPN after 28 years, still weighing options, source says |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/tom-jackson-espn-28-years-source-article-1.2725856 |website=nydailynews.com |date=26 July 2016 |publisher=New York Daily News |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204012722/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/tom-jackson-espn-28-years-source-article-1.2725856 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show's awards include seven [[Sports Emmy Awards]] for Outstanding Weekly Show (1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2003, and 2006 seasons) and five [[CableACE Award]]s (1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 seasons).

In February 2007, ESPN confirmed an earlier report in the ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'' that [[Michael Irvin]] would not be brought back to the show or to the network. On March 12, ESPN confirmed on its website that [[Michael Irvin]]'s former teammate, [[Emmitt Smith]] would fill Irvin's chair, but that arrangement only lasted one season.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2795627 Ex-Cowboys great Smith joins ESPN as NFL analyst]</ref> [[Keyshawn Johnson]] also joined the network and has served as an analyst for ''Countdown'', among other programs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dempsey |first1=John |title=ESPN signs NFL's Keyshawn Johnson |url=https://variety.com/2007/tv/news/espn-signs-nfl-s-keyshawn-johnson-1117965708/ |website=variety.com |date=23 May 2007 |publisher=Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204013307/https://variety.com/2007/tv/news/espn-signs-nfl-s-keyshawn-johnson-1117965708/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 7, 2014, which was the 35th anniversary of ESPN's launch, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' debuted a brand-new studio inside Digital Center 2 of ESPN's main facilities in Bristol. With it, came a new logo and also, a new graphics package similar to that of ''[[SportsCenter]]''.  Like ''SportsCenter'', a [[Helvetica]] font is used, but with the lower-thirds having white text on a black background, as opposed to black text on a white background.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hofheimer |first1=Bill |title=ESPN to Unveil New NFL Studios This Week on Sunday NFL Countdown |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/09/espn-to-unveil-new-nfl-studios-this-week-on-sunday-nfl-countdown/ |website=espnpressroom.com |date=3 September 2014 |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204013819/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/09/espn-to-unveil-new-nfl-studios-this-week-on-sunday-nfl-countdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Starting September 8, every NFL show produced at ESPN now shares its new graphics, new logo, and a new set (except ''[[Monday Night Countdown]]'', which itself shares the same graphics package and theme music as ''Monday Night Football'').

On September 13, 2015, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' was shortened from 3 hours to 2 hours, due to a new Sunday edition of ''[[NFL Insiders]]'' being aired in the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET time slot.  Therefore, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' was moved down an hour to 11 a.m. ET. On September 10, 2017, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' moved back to the 10 a.m. ET time slot and became a 3-hour program once again, resulting in the cancellation of ''NFL Insiders: Sunday Edition'' after 2 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Michael |title=Get ready for ESPN's three-hour NFL pregame show |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/espn-sunday-nfl-countdown-3-hour-pregame-show-samantha-ponder-chris-berman/zgwn2gtyfuk81nmkibzpir51t |website=sportingnews.com |date=27 July 2017 |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

The show usually originates from Bristol, but it originates in the city hosting the [[Super Bowl]] for its Super Bowl edition. On November 20, 2016, the show originated from [[Mexico City]], which was hosting the ''Monday Night Football'' game the following night between the [[Houston Texans]] and [[Oakland Raiders]].  In January 2017, ESPN announced that Berman would leave the show at the end of the 2016–17 season, ending his 31-year tenure as host of this program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=A. J. |title=After 31 Years, Chris Berman Leaves ESPN's NFL Studio Shows |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/after-31-years-espns-chris-berman-leaves-nfl-studio-programming/316225/ |website=adweek.com |date=5 January 2017 |publisher=Adweek, LLC |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> Berman was replaced with [[Sam Ponder]], who had previously co-hosted and contributed to ''[[College GameDay (football)|College GameDay]]'' from 2012 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sam Ponder |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/ponder_samantha/ |website=espnpressroom.com |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204012719/https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/ponder_samantha/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 13, 2020, ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' moved from Bristol to the network's [[South Street Seaport]] studios in New York City.  Its sister Monday night show followed the next day.  Both ''Sunday NFL Countdown'' and ''Monday Night Countdown'' now share the same studio with another ESPN show, ''[[First Take (talk show)|First Take]]''. Monday Night Countdown went back on the road in 2021, but still aired from Seaport occasionally. Sunday NFL Countdown moved back to Bristol during the [[2023 NFL season|2023 season]] after ESPN started scaling back on production at Seaport. Monday Night Countdown followed suit for select weeks including doubleheader weeks.

On August 20, 2024, ESPN named [[Mike Greenberg]], host of the network's weekday morning show, ''[[Get Up (TV program)|Get Up]]'', as the new host of ''Sunday NFL Countdown.''  He replaced Samantha Ponder (the show's previous host), who, along with [[Robert Griffin III]], were both terminated from ESPN earlier that month.

===Controversy===
On July 14, 2003, [[ESPN]] announced that [[Rush Limbaugh]] would be joining the show as a weekly commentator when it premiered on September 7.  Limbaugh would provide the "voice of the fan" and was supposed to spark debate on the show.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oei |first1=Lily |title=ESPN hands Rush the ball |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/news/espn-hands-rush-the-ball-1117889282/ |website=variety.com |date=15 July 2003 |publisher=Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. |access-date=30 November 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101134926/https://variety.com/2003/scene/news/espn-hands-rush-the-ball-1117889282/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 28, Limbaugh commented about [[Donovan McNabb]], the quarterback of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]:

:"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."<ref>{{cite web |title=Limbaugh's comments touch off controversy |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627887 |website=espn.com |date=October 2003 |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=30 November 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804194254/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627887 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 1, 2003, less than one week after that comment, Limbaugh resigned from [[ESPN]]. The following Sunday on air [[Tom Jackson (American football, born 1951)|Tom Jackson]] said about Limbaugh:

: "Let me just say that it was not our decision to have Rush Limbaugh on this show. I've seen replay after replay of Limbaugh's comments with my face attached as well as that of my colleagues, comments which made us very uncomfortable at the time, although the depth and the insensitive nature of which weren't fully felt until it seemed too late to reply. He was brought here to talk football, and he broke that trust. Rush told us the social commentary for which he is so well known would not cross over to our show, and instead, he would represent the viewpoint of the intelligent, passionate fan. Rush Limbaugh was not a fit for ''NFL Countdown.''"<ref>{{cite web |title=Emotional Rescue: ESPN Offers On-Air Response To Limbaugh |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2003/10/06/Sports-Media/Emotional-Rescue-ESPN-Offers-On-Air-Response-To-Limbaugh.aspx |website=sportsbusinessdaily.com |date=6 October 2003 |publisher=American City Business Journals, Inc. |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref>

==Personalities==
===Current===

====Main Panelists====
Source:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holleran |first1=Andrew |title=ESPN Announces New Analyst For Sunday NFL Countdown |url=https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/espn-announces-new-analyst-for-sunday-nfl-countdown |website=thespun.com |publisher=[[The Spun]] |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717154610/https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/espn-announces-new-analyst-for-sunday-nfl-countdown |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Mike Greenberg]]: (Host, 2024–present)
*[[Rex Ryan]]: (Analyst, 2017–present)
*[[Randy Moss]]: (Analyst, 2016–present)
*[[Alex Smith]]: (Analyst, 2023–present)
*[[Tedy Bruschi]]: (Analyst, 2019–present)

====Field Reporters====
Source:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holleran |first1=Andrew |title=ESPN Announces New Analyst For Sunday NFL Countdown |url=https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/espn-announces-new-analyst-for-sunday-nfl-countdown |website=thespun.com |publisher=[[The Spun]] |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717154610/https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/espn-announces-new-analyst-for-sunday-nfl-countdown |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jeff Darlington]]: (Correspondent, 2016–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeff Darlington |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/jeff-darlington/ |website=espnpressroom.com |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812010728/https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/jeff-darlington/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Dan Graziano: (Correspondent, 2017–present)
*Kimberley A. Martin: (Correspondent, 2020–present)
*[[Sal Paolantonio]]: (Correspondent, 1995–present)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krulewitz |first1=Josh |title=Sal Paolantonio Expands Role as Part of New ESPN Agreement |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/11/sal-paolantonio-expands-role-as-part-of-new-espn-agreement/ |website=espnpressroom.com |date=8 November 2019 |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109060426/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/11/sal-paolantonio-expands-role-as-part-of-new-espn-agreement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Lindsey Thiry: (Correspondent, 2023–present)<ref>{{cite web|first=Lily|last=Blum|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/09/espns-lindsey-thiry-assumes-larger-television-role-jeremy-fowler-signs-new-multi-year-agreement-leading-into-nfl-season/|website=espnpressroom.com|title=ESPN's Lindsey Thiry Assumes Larger Television Role; Jeremy Fowler Signs New Multi-Year Agreement Leading into NFL Season|date=September 6, 2023|access-date=August 20, 2024|archive-date=August 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820175921/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/09/espns-lindsey-thiry-assumes-larger-television-role-jeremy-fowler-signs-new-multi-year-agreement-leading-into-nfl-season/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====NFL Insiders====
*[[Adam Schefter]]: (2009–present)

===Former===
*Josina Anderson: (Correspondent, 2011–2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Josina Anderson |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/josina-anderson/ |website=espnpressroom.com |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref>
*[[Pete Axthelm]]: (analyst, 1987&ndash;1990)
*[[Chris Berman]]: (studio host, 1986&ndash;2016)
*[[Frank Caliendo]]: (contributor, 2012–2018)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zaldivar |first1=Gabe |title=Frank Caliendo Brings Tired Material to ESPN's NFL Countdown, Sundays Weep |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1367501-frank-caliendo-brings-tired-material-to-espns-nfl-countdown-sundays-weep |website=bleacherreport.com |publisher=Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108220526/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1367501-frank-caliendo-brings-tired-material-to-espns-nfl-countdown-sundays-weep |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Cris Carter]]: (analyst, 2008&ndash;2015)
*[[Trent Dilfer]]: (analyst, 2016)
*[[Mike Ditka]]: (analyst, 2006&ndash;2015)
*[[Josh Elliott]]: (correspondent, 2006&ndash;2010)
*Greg Garber: (correspondent, 1991&ndash;2017)
*[[Matt Hasselbeck]]: (analyst, 2016&ndash;2022)
*[[Merril Hoge]]: (analyst, 2012&ndash;2014)
*[[Michael Irvin]]: (analyst, 2003&ndash;2006)
*[[Tom Jackson (American football, born 1951)|Tom Jackson]]: (analyst, 1987&ndash;2015)
*[[Ron Jaworski]]: (contributor, 1990&ndash;2005) (analyst, 2006; 2012&ndash;2014)
*[[Keyshawn Johnson]] (analyst, 2007&ndash;2015)
*[[Jim Kelly]]: (analyst, 1998&ndash;2000)
*[[Andrea Kremer]]: (contributor, 1989&ndash;2005)
*[[Ray Lewis]]: (analyst, 2013&ndash;2015)
*[[Bob Ley]]: (studio host, 1985)
*[[Rush Limbaugh]]: (analyst, 2003)
*[[Kenny Mayne]]: (contributor, 2005&ndash;2012)
*[[Tom Mees]]: (studio host, 1986)<ref>{{Cite episode |title="NFL Gameday"|network= ESPN|date= November 2, 1986}}</ref>
*[[Chris Mortensen]]: (insider, 1991&ndash;2022)
*[[Wendi Nix]]: (co-host, 2014&ndash;2016)
*[[Pam Oliver]]: (reporter, 1993&ndash;1994)
*[[Bill Parcells]]: (contributor, 2007)
*[[Samantha Ponder]]: (Host, 2017&ndash;2023)
*[[Louis Riddick]]: (contributor, 2017–2018)
*[[Dianna Russini]]: (Correspondent, 2017&ndash;2022)
*[[Phil Simms]]: (analyst, 1994)
*[[Stuart Scott]]: (co-host, 1999&ndash;2000)
*[[Sterling Sharpe]]: (analyst, 1995&ndash;2003)
*[[Emmitt Smith]]: (analyst, 2007)
*[[Joe Theismann]]: (analyst, 1988&ndash;1997)
*Jim Trotter: (correspondent, 2014&ndash;2017)
*[[Mike Tirico]]: (co-host, 1998)
*[[Ed Werder]]: (correspondent, 1998&ndash;2016; 2019&ndash;2023)
*[[Charles Woodson]]: (analyst, 2016&ndash;2018)
*[[Steve Young (American football)|Steve Young]]: (analyst, 2000&ndash;2005) (contributor, 2006&ndash;2009)
*[[Jack Youngblood]]: (analyst, 1985&ndash;1986)

==See also==
*''[[Monday Night Football]]''
*''[[Monday Night Countdown]]''
*''[[NFL Insiders]]''
*''[[NFL Live]]''
*''[[NFL Matchup]]''
*''[[NFL Primetime]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060720175220/http://media.espn.com/ESPNToday/2006/July_06/NFLprog.htm Press Release: ESPN'S 2006 NFL LINEUP SURROUNDS MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WITH 188 YEARS OF GRIDIRON EXPERIENCE]
*[https://www.espn.com/gen/news/2003/1001/1628537.html ESPN.com ''Limbaugh resigns from NFL show'']
*[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/840890-nfl-inside-the-new-espn-18-billion-annual-rights-deal?search_query=ESPN%20Deal]

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090210051717/http://sports.espn.go.com/espntv/espnShow?showID=FBNG ESPN.tv show page]

{{ESPN}}
{{ESPN original programming}}
{{Sunday NFL Countdown}}
{{MNF}}
{{National Football League on television and radio}}
{{Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show}}

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