ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer describes himself as a “crazy prep fiend.” Organizing his many job duties “makes me feel more confident and comfortable walking into the booth. I legitimately enjoy studying football.” Here’s an outline on how he tackles his many football assignments for SEC Network, ESPN College Football and Canada’s TSN.
*Monday: Focus on the visiting team for the Saturday SEC Network game
*Tuesday: Interview the visiting team for the Thursday ESPN game
*Wednesday: Focus on the home team for the Thursday ESPN game
*Thursday: Review my notes for Thursday game and call it
*Friday: Focus on the home team for the Saturday SEC Network game, including interviews with that team
*Saturday: Review my notes for Saturday SEC Network Game and call it
*Sunday: Recover and then prepare to file a recap of Sunday’s NFL games for TSN’s “Monday Morning QB” TSN
LOS ANGELES – Jesse Palmer’s career playbook continues to grow and he’s more than up to tackling his many tasks.
Tonight, the ESPN college football analyst and former Florida and NFL quarterback co-hosts, with Cari Champion, ESPN’s airing of The 2015 ESPYS Countdown Show presented by Capital One (7 p.m. ET) from the red carpet outside the Microsoft Theatre. The 2015 ESPYS presented by Capital One will air on ABC beginning at 8 ET.
Earlier this year, Palmer joined ABC’s Good Morning America as a special contributor. This week, he filed a behind-the-scenes look at the ESPYS that aired on the program.
He tells Front Row what goes into his preparation for the ESPYS Countdown Show and the upcoming football season.
How has preparation for the ESPYS Countdown Show been?
It’s a fun opportunity to work with Cari, who I’m a huge fan of. I’d do anything to be involved with this event.
Who are you most excited to interview?
I’m excited to interview Ronda Rousey; I’m a huge MMA fan. I interviewed her for GMA and she actually threw me around an octagon, so I’m getting payback today.
How are you balancing your roles with GMA and ESPN, SEC Network and Canada’s TSN?
I am going to take it as it comes, but I’ll have the Thursday and Saturday games to call and then contribute to GMA probably on Monday and Tuesday. I have never had a social life during football season, but I do have a system (see chart at right).
With GMA, I had opportunity to do more daytime stints last year and then this opportunity came along. All my other passions in life I get to tap into with GMA. And I am learning how to storytell.
Tomorrow nights @ESPYS are going to be epic with host @joelmchale!!!
#GetReadyToGetRoasted @espn @ABC pic.twitter.com/XtsRQClYTL
— Jesse James Palmer (@JessePalmerABC) July 15, 2015
