Meet some of the Sunday NFL Countdown storytellers

ESPN’s signature NFL pregame Sunday NFL Countdown show has aired some captivating, memorable stories throughout the season.

There was the story of Devon Still coping with a young daughter stricken by cancer; Joe Haden’s bond with his brother; a soldier mailing his good conduct medal to the Steelers’ Antonio Brown; the players who caught only one touchdown pass from Peyton Manning; and many more.

Behind these stories are the feature producers who shape them – from the idea, interviews and script-writing through edits.

“The feature producers on this show are our difference-makers,” said Greg Jewell, coordinating producer, Sunday NFL Countdown. “Individually, and as a team, they are a very creative group. It is fascinating to see how their ideas each Monday turn into stories that give our viewers insight into the personalities and issues we cover every NFL Sunday.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIX Postseason NFL Countdown (ESPN, Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET), Front Row highlights some of the storytellers whose pieces will air during the four-hour preview show.

*Sunday NFL Countdown* Feature Producers (L-R): Michael O’Connor, Chad Minutillo, Dom Goodridge, Gavin Cote, Zach Budman, Rachel Sampson, Meghan Robinson, David Pierpont and Luke Williams. (Not pictured: Luis Aldea, Tory Zawacki, Terrell Bouza, Harrison Altman and Randy Sobel) (David Pierpont)

(David Pierpoint) — *Sunday NFL Countdown* Feature Producers (L-R): Michael O’Connor, Chad Minutillo, Dom Goodridge, Gavin Cote, Zach Budman, Rachel Sampson, Meghan Robinson, David Pierpont and Luke Williams. (Not pictured: Luis Aldea, Tory Zawacki, Terrell Bouza, Harrison Altman and Randy Sobel) (David Pierpont)

Feature: Marysville-Pilchuck
How the Seattle Seahawks forged a bond with the Marysville-Pilchuck High School football team after an October 2014 school shooting that initially killed two students and severely wounded four others in this small, close-knit community an hour outside of Seattle.

(L-R): *Countdown* feature producer Rachel Sampson, with Marysville-Pilchuck High School’s Corbin Ferry, ESPN reporter Michelle Beisner, Drew Hatch and head coach Brandon Carson. (Rachel Sampson)

Feature: The Bill Belichick-Tom Brady Marriage
As Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady prepare to play in a record sixth Super Bowl together, the team’s owner Robert Kraft narrates the story of the relationship between the tutor and his pupil, and highlights reasons for their success.

*Countdown* feature producer Michael O’Connor. (Michael O’Connor)

Feature: Julian Edelman
SportsCenter anchor Jade McCarthy travelled to Woodside, Calif., Julian Edelman’s hometown, to tell the story of how Edelman developed from an undersized high school quarterback to a diminutive, go-to NFL wide receiver.

*SportsCenter* anchor Jade McCarthy (L) and *Countdown* feature producer Meghan Robinson after one of the interviews. (Meghan Robinson)

Feature: Bobby Wagner’s Motivation
Countdown’s Michelle Beisner reports how Bobby Wagner, the young Pro Bowl Seahawks linebacker, uses the doubts about his ability to play in the NFL by experts as a motivation to excel.

*Countdown* feature producer Luke Williams putting finishing touches on the Bobby Wagner story. (Luke Williams)

Feature: Frank Caliendo on Bill Belichick’s Legacy
In a faux “SC Featured,” ESPN’s long-form feature segment that airs on SportsCenter, Countdown comedian and impersonator Frank Caliendo delves into the legacy of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Feature: Marysville-Pilchuck How the Seattle Seahawks forged a bond with the Marysville-Pilchuck High School football team after an October 2014 school shooting that initially killed two students and severely wounded four others in this small, close-knit community an hour outside of Seattle.

Feature: Julian Edelman SportsCenter anchor Jade McCarthy travelled to Woodside, Calif., Julian Edelman’s hometown, to tell the story of how Edelman developed from an undersized high school quarterback to a diminutive, go-to NFL wide receiver.

Feature: Bobby Wagner’s Motivation Countdown’s Michelle Beisner reports how Bobby Wagner, the young Pro Bowl Seahawks linebacker, uses the doubts about his ability to play in the NFL by experts as a motivation to excel.

Feature: Frank Caliendo on Bill Belichick’s Legacy In a faux “SC Featured,” ESPN’s long-form feature segment that airs on SportsCenter, Countdown comedian and impersonator Frank Caliendo delves into the legacy of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Feature: Marysville-Pilchuck
How the Seattle Seahawks forged a bond with the Marysville-Pilchuck High School football team after an October 2014 school shooting that initially killed two students and severely wounded four others in this small, close-knit community an hour outside of Seattle.

Feature: Julian Edelman
SportsCenter anchor Jade McCarthy travelled to Woodside, Calif., Julian Edelman’s hometown, to tell the story of how Edelman developed from an undersized high school quarterback to a diminutive, go-to NFL wide receiver.

Feature: Bobby Wagner’s Motivation
Countdown’s Michelle Beisner reports how Bobby Wagner, the young Pro Bowl Seahawks linebacker, uses the doubts about his ability to play in the NFL by experts as a motivation to excel.

Feature: Frank Caliendo on Bill Belichick’s Legacy
In a faux “SC Featured,” ESPN’s long-form feature segment that airs on SportsCenter, Countdown comedian and impersonator Frank Caliendo delves into the legacy of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.