John Clayton, the ESPN NFL writer known for his self-lacerating "Hey, Mom, I'm done with my segment!" headbanger commercial for "SportsCenter," reportedly has parted ways with the company as part of its recent massive layoffs.
The departure of "The Professor," a senior NFL writer who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, was reported by The Sporting News' Michael McCarthy. ESPN declined to comment and Clayton has not responded to a request for comment.
Clayton, who is based in the Seattle area, has a local radio show, which is not affiliated with the network but licenses the name.
ESPN began its latest round of layoffs April 26, with around 100 people — many of whom occupied on-camera roles — being cut. Among the biggest names were Ed Werder, Andrew Brandt, Ashley Fox, Marc Stein, Chad Ford, Sarah Walsh, Britt McHenry, Brett McMurphy, Jayson Stark, Trent Dilfer, Doug Glanville, Jaymee Sire, Chris Hassel and Jay Crawford.
• ESPN agreed to a multiyear contract extension with Lee Corso, the 81-year-old star of "College GameDay."
NFL
Tirico to be on Thursday
Mike Tirico is replacing Al Michaels as the play-by-play announcer for Thursday night games this season. The NFL needed to approve the switch because its contract with the network calls for the top broadcast team to do Thursday games. NBC has those games from Nov. 9 through the end of the year after CBS handles the first portion of the schedule.
Michaels will still do Sunday night games with Cris Collinsworth as analyst. Collinsworth will continue double duty on the Thursday and Sunday night matchups.
• Tennessee backup quarterback Matt Cassel, a former Viking, will have surgery to put a pin in his right thumb after being hurt during the Titans' offseason program. Cassel probably will be out about six weeks but should be ready for training camp in late July.
