Chris Spielman Hired by Fox as NFL, CFB Broadcaster: Latest Details and Reaction

Fox Sports announced Tuesday in a news release that it hired former Pro Bowl linebacker and ESPN commentator Chris Spielman to serve as an NFL and college football analyst.   

Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk noted Spielman will start at his new position this coming fall. Spielman took to Twitter once the news was released:

Spielman started his venture into broadcasting in 1999 with Fox Sports Net after he retired from the NFL as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He has been with ESPN since 2001 and recently worked as a duo with play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough, although McDonough received a position as a Monday Night Football announcer this offseason.

Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com called Spielman “one of the best football broadcasters on television” and explained that he “is as interesting, entertaining and informative as any football analyst out there.”

The release from Fox Sports detailed Spielman’s career and said he was a two-time All-American and Lombardi Award winner as a linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His success at the collegiate level convinced the Detroit Lions to use the 29th overall pick on him in the 1998 draft, and he proceeded to play eight seasons in the Motor City.

He reached four Pro Bowls with Detroit before he played two seasons with the Buffalo Bills.