Tom Jackson

NFL Analyst

Tom Jackson, a standout linebacker for the Denver Broncos for 14 years, joined ESPN as the NFL studio analyst in 1987 for the launch of the network’s NFL game coverage.  Now in his 20th season at ESPN, Jackson remains one of sports television’s foremost pro football analysts, drawing experience from both his Hall of Fame playing career and his two decades in broadcasting.

Since 1987, Jackson has teamed with host Chris Berman on Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL PrimeTime -- ESPN's Sunday NFL pre-game and highlights shows.  Over the years, Jackson has added Monday Night Countdown to his list of duties, and he has also contributed reports to SportsCenter and NFL Live and provided analysis on ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft.

In 2006, Jackson will team with Berman more than ever.  They will work together with Michael Irvin, Chris Mortensen and others on Sunday NFL Countdown, and they will continue to deliver all the NFL highlights to fans, now on the Sunday night SportsCenter (as PrimeTime -- cable television’s highest-rated sports studio show since 1987 -- moves to Mondays). 

With Monday Night Football on ESPN in the fall, Jackson will continue his analyst role on the Monday Night Countdown pre-game show, which Berman will now host with Jackson and fellow analysts Irvin and Steve Young from the MNF city each week.  Jackson will also contribute analysis during ESPN’s new two-hour SportsCenter Special: Monday Night Kickoff in the afternoon leading up to the MNF game.

In addition to his weekly NFL duties in 2006, Jackson served as an analyst on ABC’s Super Bowl XL pre-game show and during ESPN’s NFL Draft telecast.  He also continues to serve as the on-site analyst for ESPN’s annual coverage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

After an accomplished career, Jackson became the 14th Broncos player inducted into Denver's "Ring of Fame" on Oct. 4, 1992.  He played in Super Bowls XII and XXI for the Broncos and held Denver team records for most seasons (14) and games played (191) for many years after his retirement until both marks were broken by Hall of fame quarterback John Elway.  Jackson retired with 20 career interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns.

Jackson made three appearances in the Pro Bowl (1977-79).  He was named by his teammates as Denver's defensive Most Valuable Player in 1974, 1976-77, and was voted Denver's Most Inspirational Player (1981-86), the only Broncos player to have won the award at the time of his retirement.

Jackson's pre-ESPN broadcasting experience included co-host positions for both "Broncos Beat" -- a weekly show on KCNC-TV in Denver -- and a post-game show on KUSA-TV.  He had also hosted a daily syndicated sports commentary radio show, "Behind the Line."

For his broadcasting work, Jackson was awarded the "best sports analyst" Cable Ace in 1996.  In 1990, he was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation's "Alumnus of the Year."  Jackson also wrote an autobiography, "Blitz."

A native of Cleveland, Jackson graduated from the University of Louisville in 1973 where he was two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.