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Samantha Ponder says goodbye to college football, officially lands NFL job with ESPN

Michael Wayne Bratton

By Michael Wayne Bratton

Published:

Samantha Ponder’s time with College GameDay has officially come to an end, as ESPN has announced Ponder will be joining the network’s coverage of the NFL.

Ponder will now be hosting Sunday NFL Countdown for ESPN, helping to replace longtime ESPN legend Chris Berman. In a statement published by ESPN, Ponder claims her role with GameDay was the “best job” she ever had.

Additionally in the statement, Ponder thanked her GameDay coworkers and gave a special shoutout to Lee Corso:

To my big brothers – Kirk, Chris, Rece, Desmond, Gene, Tom, George and yes, even you, David… I can never repay you for your kindness and willingness to accept me into your family from day one.

Coach Corso – the man, the myth, the legend. The most important man in our group and yet the man who never let me enter or leave a room without a greeting and a “How’s Bowden [daughter Scout’s first name]?” Don’t tell [my husband] Christian, but you’re my favorite Nole.

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com

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