In the hours after the news about his ESPN layoff broke, David Pollack recorded a video and posted it to Twitter.
He thanked the viewers who watched him and the “College GameDay” program while also acknowledging ESPN for the opportunity at the cable network.
Then, later at night, the show’s host, Rece Davis, weighed in about Pollack’s exit, quote-tweeting the video and typing some thoughts of his own.
“Class personified,” Davis wrote. “I’ve joked for years that @davidpollack47 is the little brother I never wanted. Truth is, he’s as good a man & as good a friend as I could’ve ever hoped for.
“He’s a brother to me for life. He’s a man of God. He’s a selfless teammate, an exemplary family man,” with Davis also adding in a reply to the tweet that it was a “tough day.”
Pollack was one of around 20 on-air staff members who were impacted by ESPN’s latest round of layoffs, and the list also included Suzy Kolber, Jeff Van Gundy, Todd McShay, Steve Young, LaPhonso Ellis and Ashley Brewer — in addition to nearly a dozen others.
Reactions from colleagues and other media personalities were posted on social media, while those who were laid off added reactions of their own to thank ESPN for the opportunity.
Everything to know about ESPN Layoffs
On Friday, ESPN began the latest round of its layoffs, with several big names among the expect 20 on-air personalities being let go.
Network stalwarts Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young and Todd McShay were some of the biggest names let go of by ESPN.
It marked the third round of layoffs by the “Worldwide Leader,” with the previous two focusing on behind-the-scenes workers.
The massive layoffs come as part of mandates from parent company Disney, which announced earlier this year that around 7,000 jobs would be eliminated.
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“What is up everybody,” Pollack said in his Twitter video. “I think a lot of the news came out today, and a lot of you all heard that I won’t be brought back to College GameDay next year or to ESPN.
“Just wanted to say thank you to so many people. I just appreciate everybody along the journey — twelve, 13 years ago, ESPN taking a chance on me, and all the people that I get to work with. I got to work with so many great people and do so many things that was so awesome for so many years.
“I’m just very, very thankful for it.”
Pollack joined ESPN in 2009, according to his company biography, and two years later, he started contributing to “College GameDay,” as well as other college football and “SportsCenter” coverage.
He played football at the University of Georgia and was selected by the Bengals in the NFL Draft as a first-round pick.
He suffered a neck injury in September 2006 — his second professional season — and he eventually retired in 2008 without playing another game.
Pollack transitioned into broadcasting, and he eventually became a key part of the “College GameDay” broadcasts, even revealing in a tweet earlier this week that North Dakota State, James Madison University and Appalachian State were a few of his favorite locations.
Pollack said that he doesn’t know his next destination, but “I know it’s gonna be amazing.”
“I have no clue what’s next in my life,” Pollack said. “But one thing God’s shown me all along the way, man, is he is for me. He’s not against me. NFL, broke my neck, career is over, I find TV. Found coaching the last couple of years. Found speaking the last couple of years. I know God’s got something amazing for me.
“I don’t know what it’s gonna be, but thank you to all my teammates and all the people that played a part in it, and all you that watched and cheered me on.”
Davis, in the reply beneath his Twitter message to Pollack, said he knows his former “College GameDay” colleague will “crush it” at that next opportunity, too.
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