The Pro Football HOF yesterday named ESPN's Tom Jackson the '15 recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. The annual honor recognizes longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in pro football. Jackson will be feted during the Aug. 8 enshrinement ceremony. He joined ESPN in '87 following a 14-year career as an NFL player (Pro Football HOF). ESPN’s Herm Edwards said of Jackson, “For athletes that want to go into this field of work, he was a shining light for a lot of us and he’s done a tremendous job” (“NFL Live,” ESPN,, 7/7). ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Jackson “would be a great commentator in whatever area he wanted to be in, on whatever topic he wanted to be on, whatever network he wanted” (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 7/7). ESPN.com's K.C. Joyner tweeted, "Tom Jackson is one of the great NFL voices of the past quarter century." ESPN's Ed Werder wrote, "I covered @TomJackson57 as a player and have privilege of calling him a colleague now. Congrats on a great honor." The Tampa Bay Times' Tom Jones: "Well deserved: @TomJackson57 of #espn honored by Pro Football HoF with Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for broadcasting contributions" (TWITTER.com, 7/7).
BAKER STEPPING DOWN: In Charlotte, Jim Utter notes SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host and former driver Buddy Baker last night announced that he "has inoperable lung cancer and is leaving his role," effective immediately. After a "successful driving career, Baker made a transition to the television booth as an analyst, working for The Nashville Network and CBS." He "most recently co-hosted the shows 'Late Shift' and 'Tradin' Paint' for SiriusXM" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/8).
CHERRY ON TOP: Rogers Sportsnet hockey commentator Don Cherry when asked about whether he was concerned last season that Rogers would phase him out when he complained on air about his airtime, said, "When I heard I was on for five minutes, I give 'em a hard time. ... There was no way I was going to stand for five minutes. At one time, I had nine. And we made a compromise: I'm on for about six-and-a-half. And I'm happy. I have to say, with Rogers, they've never told me what to say. They give me a good set, and they leave Ron [MacLean] and I alone." He said of his career, "I just keep going from year to year. As long as I'm healthy and having a good time. And I'm having a ball. I can hardly wait until Coach's Corner. And I think that's what people see, that I'm having fun out there. And, hey, listen, if they say, 'look Don, you're gone now,' I'm very happy. Because I've had a good run. Who could have a longer run than me? I'll just say 'toodle-oo'" (NATIONAL POST, 7/8).
'STRICT STANDARDS: In DC, Scott Allen reported locally based WJFK-FM's Grant Paulsen "will add Redskins reporter to his job description again beginning in early August," when he begins working for WTTG-Fox. The network yesterday announced that Paulsen "will contribute to the station’s newscasts and 'Redskins Game Time' program throughout the season." Paulsen will appear on WTTG "three-to-five times a week, but he will remain a full-time employee" of WJFK (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/7). Meanwhile, also in DC, Dan Steinberg reported ESPN Radio 980 DC Redskins reporter Chris Russell "will be leaving the station this summer after his contract was not renewed." Russell has covered the Redskins since the '09 launch of WJFK; after about a year at the station, Russell moved to ESPN 980. He "has also been writing for Monumental Network, which he’ll continue to do." He said that he is "already working toward his next step, which could include a return" to WJFK (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/2).
