The Lineup: Father’s Day, Part 2

Click here for Part 1 of this special two-part Father’s Day edition of The Lineup.

Darren Haynes

Studio Anchor

“THAT’S MY DAD”

My dad is strong,
My dad is tough,
Yet he has so much love,
He gives more than enough,

He helps you though the good and bad,
A better dad I could never have had,

Thank you for all your care
You have taught me right from wrong
And taught me how to share

So love and thanks I give to you,
Not only on Father’s Day,
But all year through.

Nicole Briscoe

NASCAR Countdown and NASCAR Now host

“I know everyone thinks their father is the best, but I’m pretty sure mine actually is. He (and my mom) gave me all the obvious things: unconditional love, support, honesty and instilled in me the importance of respect and working hard. But having a dad like mine? It is a gift. I had the confidence to follow my dreams, the ability to stick it out when it might have been easier to walk away, and a backbone of support. Because while I may have doubted myself a million times along the way, he (they) never did. I can also thank dad for my love of sports. Daddy/daughter trips to the ballpark. That one painful (for me), trying (for him) summer when he spent HOURS helping me break my own hitting slump. “Nicole, quit pulling your head!” And of course, the Sunday ritual: Green Bay Packers games. All of who I am is because of my dad, and I’m one very happy, very loved, very fortunate ‘daddy’s little girl’.”

Nicole Briscoe with her father, Ron Manske. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Briscoe)

Jay Harris

SportsCenter Anchor

“My dad taught me the value of finding your niche, and doing something you love. If you’re able to do that, you won’t have to work a day in your life. He was right. And still is.”

Jay with his father, Al. (Photo courtesy of Jay Harris)

Ryan McGee

Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine

“My first credential to a college football game came via my father, Dr. Jerry McGee, in 1983. He was in his second season as an ACC football official. I was 12. It was UNC at Virginia, I had a camera in hand and I was totally taken out by Tar Heel linebacker Micah Moon. From there I shared sidelines with Dad at dozens of games, including an all-access piece for the 2003 ESPN The Magazine College Football Preview (back at University of Virginia) and his final game, the ’09 BCS Championship. He’s also a president of NCAA Division II member, Wingate University. Both jobs have given me a lifelong perspective on college sports that I’m not sure many other writers have. And oh by the way, Pops was also a gas can man on Dave Marcis’s NASCAR pit crews in the early 1970’s. So we can blame him for my motorsports obsession, too.”

Kevin Connors

SportsCenter Anchor

“ESPN should get the man a Neilsen box – he watches almost every show I anchor! My biggest supporter (along with my mom) throughout my life, he is my role model, my idol, my Dad. Happy Father’s Day, Sir!”

Younger brother Chris, me, my Dad (Bill), and older brother Bill at my Dad’s alma mater Stanford, prior to a Stanford football game. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Connors)

Jaymee Sire

SportsCenter Anchor

“My dad, Dennis, has always been an inspiration to me. Even though we chose completely different career paths (he is a wheat farmer in Montana), he taught me to do something you are passionate about no matter how hard it may be sometimes. No one works harder than he does. Happy Father’s Day, dad!”

Jaymee Sire with her mother, Wendy, and father, Dennis. (Photo courtesy of Jaymee Sire)

Shaka Hislop

Soccer Analyst

“My dad always encouraged me to find my own path, to define the person I wanted to be. There is nothing my father couldn’t, or seemingly didn’t do. He remains my greatest inspiration and my biggest fan. Love you dad.”

Eduardo Pérez

MLB Analyst

“My father has always been my inspiration, the way he has carries himself with all people, from all places makes him my sun, that I can look up to with pride. To him I say Happy Father’s Day! Feliz Día de los Padres!”

Eduardo Perez with his dad, Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Perez and mother Pituka
(Photo courtesy of Eduardo Pérez)

Fernando Palomo

Soccer Play-By-Play Commentator, Fuera de Juego Host

“Mi papá me enseñó que con dedicación y esfuerzo, se puede conseguir todo. Que no se puede vivir de otramanera que dentro del respeto a los valores. En ese sofá vi mi primer Mundial. Acá seguro estábamos viendo algún programa de los favoritos: “Dallas” o “Hawaii 5-0!'”

“My dad taught me that with dedication and effort, you can achieve anything. Thatyou cannot live without respecting values. On this couch, I watched my first World Cup. When this picture was taken we were probably watching one of his favorite shows: “Dallas” or “Hawaii Five-O!'”

Adnan Virk

SportsCenter Anchor, Baseball Tonight Host

“My father has been tirelessly supportive of me in my career and in my life. I’m so grateful to have had such a wonderful role model to emulate as a husband, father and all-around humble and gracious human being.”

Adnan (l) with his father, Zakaria and brother, Zeeshan. (Photo courtesy of Adnan Virk)

Flavio Pereira

ESPN International Soccer Commentator

“My father: my hero!”

Claudia Trejos

ESPN Deportes Reporter

“My father, Argemiro Trejos, said that if you enjoy what you do for a living- you would NEVER work a day in your life. I followed his advice.”

Sebastian Christensen

ESPN Deportes Radio Commentator

“Aunque probablemente todos los hijos dicen lo mismo, mi padre es probablemente el fanático más grande del deporte que existe. Él me enseño todo lo que se, y estoy viviendo su sueño.”

“Although probably every son says the same thing, my father is probably the biggest sports fan there is. He taught me everything I know and now I am living his dream.”

(Photo courtesy of Sebastian Christensen)

Nicolas Pereira

Tennis Analyst

“My dad taught me that no matter how tough the situation, or how big the success it is important to remain calm.”