Jay Crawford

Co-Host, ESPN First Take

Jay Crawford joined ESPN in August of 2003 as a co-host of ESPN2’s national morning show – Cold Pizza.  Crawford’s primary role includes conducting live interviews with top sports newsmakers, presenting features and highlights for the daily weekday two-hour program (10 AM-12 Noon, ET).  In May 2007, the program was renamed ESPN First Take and is telecast in high definition from ESPN studios in Bristol, CT. weekdays at 10 a.m. ET (re-airs at noon). 

Crawford shares "umpire" duties for the 1st and 10 segments, featuring veteran sports journalist Skip Bayless and other noted columnists attacking the ten biggest sports stories of the day in multiple segments throughout ESPN First Take. These segments re-air later in the day on ESPN's 1st and 10. 

Before coming to ESPN, Crawford served as the sports director for WFTS-TV in Tampa, Fla., March 1998 to August 2003, notably covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Championship in 2003.  He was also the sports director for WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio (1993 – 1998).

Crawford served as a weekend sports anchor for WTIC-TV, Hartford, Conn., (March 1992 - July 1993).  He began his sports television career in 1987 at WYMT-TV Hazard, Kentucky.  . 

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Crawford graduated from Perkins High School in 1983.  He attended Bowling Green State University, and graduated with a bachelor of arts in Radio, Television and Film in 1987. 

Crawford’s achievements include winning four regional Emmy Awards – the Best Sportscaster Kentucky AP Award, as well as three SPJ Best Sports Program Awards.  Jay has been a Children’s Miracle Network host and has contributes his time working with the Special Olympics. 

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