UNFAIR: Fox Sports TV icon Jimmy Johnson fired for bursting into tears at the Super Bowl – But He doesn’t seem to take it lightly on Live
Fox Sports and long-time football legend Jimmy Johnson has announced his leaving after a long career spanning 60 years in and around the NFL.
Johnson spent over 30 years as a coach and front office exec in the league, before moving into the world of TV to spend another three decades with Fox.
He has been a staple of the network’s football coverage, and hinted at his retirement last month at the Super Bowl when he burst into tears live on air following a tribute to his career.
The news was announced by Johnson himself on The Herd on Monday, as he told Colin Cowherd: ‘I’ve made an extremely difficult decision.
‘I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox. I’m going to miss all the guys.’
He also admitted: ‘As you know, probably the most fun I’ve had in my career – and that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships – was at Fox Sports. I have an absolute ball with my friends on the set, best friends I’ve ever had.
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Jimmy Johnson has announced that he is retiring after 31 straight years with Fox Sports
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The NFL legend announced the news while live on Fox with Colin Cowherd (right)
‘I love working for Eric Shanks, our CEO, and our producer, Bill Richards.’
Shanks released a statement shortly after the decision was made public, noting: ‘Jimmy Johnson was there when FOX NFL SUNDAY came on-air for the first time 31 years ago, and since then has been a cherished member of the our FOX Sports family, which makes today’s retirement news bittersweet.
‘Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight and signature humor.
‘From his motivating pep talks to his unmatched energy over the years, he was our coach who always pushed us to be better. We’re incredibly grateful for his contributions in making FOX NFL SUNDAY the top pregame show on TV…
‘Coach will be sincerely missed and we wish him the best as he sets sail into retirement, like only Jimmy Johnson can.’
Just weeks ago, Johnson was left with tears streaming down his face after watching Fox Sports’ tribute to him during the pregame show for the 2025 Super Bowl.
The package showed Johnson’s career from a player, to winning Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, to his retirement and lastly his analyst job.
Coming out of the four-minute package, the cameras cut immediately to Johnson, who was choked up watching his life before his eyes.
Johnson also narrated the package, which begins with him walking out onto the field at AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys play their home games.
The first shot of Johnson using AI comes from his days as a defensive lineman at Arkansas, wearing No 60 and without the fully caged helmets football teams used to wear.
Until this week, Johnson had been with Fox Sports full-time since his final retirement from coaching in 1999.
Prior to that, he was a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent five years between 1989 and 1993.
He then moved on to the Miami Dolphins from 1996 to 1999, where he worked in a variety of roles including vice chairman, president, CEO, GM and head coach.
