Tributes Pouring In For SportsCenter Anchor Following Retirement Announcement
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 30: ESPN reporters Stephen A. Smith and John Anderson discuss before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 30, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
John Anderson announced that he's stepping down from SportsCenter later this year.
The longtime anchor said on his Inside Wisconsin Show that he's leaving the ESPN show when his contract expires in June. He plans to keep covering marathons and track and field events.
"I am incredibly excited about that," Anderson said. "It's been a good run. ... The operation has changed. I don't know that it's past me by, but it's taken its toll."
Some of Anderson's ESPN colleagues responded to the news with heartfelt posts on social media.
"The franchise will forever miss my favorite @SportsCenter co-anchor," Steve Levy wrote. "I'll have more to say about John, with John, end of June."
"John was one of the most talented writers in the history of Sportscenter," Stan Verrett declared. "He could be clever, witty, serious or somber. Whatever the story required. And I never did a show with him that didn’t include several belly laughs. It was always fun. We will miss him."
"I'm sad. There's never been a better Sportscenter writer than John Anderson," John Buccigross said. "Midwest to the core. Funny, witty, clever. We had a great run last decade on 11 pm. We pushed each other. And, oh, the inside jokes. Glad he got to go out on his terms.
"The best SportsCenter writer in the history of the show," Kevin Negandhi declared. "John’s quick wit and delivery always made you better when you worked w/ him."
"John Anderson is a legend who I had the honor to work with as a player being interviewed and as a colleague covering track and field," Robert Griffin III wrote. "Always fun, always informative and knows how to make the moment sing to the viewer. Thank you for being you John. You are an inspiration to us all."
Anderson has spent the last 25 years at ESPN. The former Wipeout host said he has "some things in the fire" for his next move beyond SportsCenter.
