Regis Philbin Replacement: Professional Athletes Who Should Replace Regis

Today is Regis Philbin's last day as the host of Regis & Kelly after a record-setting one thousand years on the air. Give or take a few years.

While no official announcement has been made on who will replace Philbin, there have been strong sports ties to the open spot.

Former New York Giant and current FOX analyst Michael Strahan has been a past fill-in for Philbin—say that five times fast—and recent rumors have him as a front-runner for the job.

But he's retired, and on TV, so what fun is that speculation, really? Let's have a look at some current athletes who would be a good fit to sit next to Kelly Ripa every morning.

1. Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon has been a regular guest-host for Regis in the past. He's a generally inoffensive and likable fella, would certainly get the attention of middle America and should probably think about life after racing at some point, right? 

Look, I'm not trying to make career decisions for anyone, but if you told me I could make a living either getting bump drafted at 200 mph or sit next to Kelly Ripa every morning, this would not be a difficult choice to make.

I do wonder if the producers would let Gordon wear his racing suit on the show, because it would be a shame to lose all those endorsements.

2. Manny Pacquiao

I have to be honest, if Manny Pacquiao took over for Regis, I would watch the show every day. Has there ever been a more affable athlete than Pacquiao? It's almost impossible to imagine a man this genuinely sweet getting into a ring for a living and destroying other fighters. 

Plus, he's a song and dance man. Any show could use a little more of that.

3. Amar'e Stoudemire

This makes too much sense not to happen. Stoudemire is a really good talker, dresses like a hipster and plays for the New York Knicks, so he's local. He wouldn't even have to quit his job as a player.

Plus, who knows when the NBA will be back, so he's available right now if they want him. Let's hope being on this list at least gets him a week as a guest host. Give him a shot, Kelly!

4. Drew Brees

Drew Brees is the prefect NFL candidate to replace Regis. He's handsome, but not super handsome*, and he's very good on television. Plus, as one of the top voices in the labor negotiations for the NFLPA, Brees showed that he's more than just a football player.

Well, that sounds dumb, obviously he's more than just a football player. We are all more than one thing. Heck, even while he was winning the Super Bowl he was simultaneously showing us all he's the best damn dad in the world. And all the things he's done for the people of New Orleans...

I digress.

If the producers asked me to pick Regis' successor, I'd have a hard time looking past this guy.

(*You ever notice that most men on the TV news and talk shows are handsome—most, not all—but they aren't usually "super handsome"? Why is that? Most women on TV, especially in TV news, are "super pretty" but the men are rarely on that same level. It's as if TV executives have figured out that audiences want to look at a handsome man on TV, but won't trust a "super handsome" man giving them the news and information. Are "super handsome" men genetically untrustworthy? There's more to this, I'm certain.)

5. Tim Tebow

Okay, fine, this pick is terrible. Tebow would be an atrocious replacement for Regis. But think of the RATINGS the guy would deliver. What is it about this guy that always gets everyone talking? And how funny would it be to watch him squirm whenever Kelly talks about weird sex stories in the news?

6. Sean Avery

Is Avery a good guy or a bad guy? Hockey fans seem to hate him, but then he comes out in favor of gay marriage. Plus, he's really into fashion, so Kelly would probably love him.

He's a New York athlete so, like Stoudemire, he'd probably be able to hold down both jobs. That is, until he gets released by the Rangers again.

7. David Oritiz

This would be the greatest show in the history of shows. Big Papi and Kelly Ripa every morning? Can mid-morning TV targeting older shut-ins and housewives get any better?

In all seriousness, Big Papi should have his own late night talk show. Sure every talk show ever hosted by a former athlete has failed, but for the three weeks that baby is on the air...it would be magical.