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Front Row salutes Chris Berman as he transitions into new role at ESPN

Chris Berman has shared memorable sports moments with fans all around the world since joining ESPN in 1979. He has been recognized time and time again for his contributions to sports and television, evidenced by his many career achievements.

Today it was announced that Berman, ESPN’s Hall of Fame quarterback for 38 years, will take on a new position with the company at the conclusion of the football season. While Berman will still have a visible and important role with ESPN, Front Row put together a fitting tribute – highlights – as he prepares to take the next step in his career.

In the video above, former ESPN analyst Tom Jackson discusses Berman, his longtime on-air partner on Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL PrimeTime. Jackson begins with a story about his ESPN audition – where he was paired with Berman almost three decades ago.

Berman and Jackson’s 29 years together ranks just behind Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon’s 31-year-long partnership on “The Tonight Show.”

The past two years, Berman has received the Newseum Institute’s Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in Media (he was the first sportscaster ever honored) and he was inducted into both the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame and the Cable Hall of Fame (just the fifth on-air personality honored).

These video excerpts are from Berman’s acceptance speeches at the Newseum Institute’s ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 2016 and the Cable Hall of Fame’s ceremony in Chicago in 2015. Berman shared personal stories and accepted these awards on behalf of all who have worked or are working at ESPN.

Samantha Baron produced both videos. Online Productions Inc. filmed the Tom Jackson video.

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