Wayzata's James Laurinaitis, recently retired from NFL, 'honored' to join Big Ten Network

Linebacker who played eight seasons in NFL after Buckeyes career will co-host weekly show in Ohio.

July 24, 2017 at 8:26PM
** FILE ** In this Nov. 17, 2007 file photo, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis celebrates with fans after beating Michigan, 14-3, in a college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. It's highly unlikely there will be any bigger Oklahoma or Pittsburgh fans on Saturday than the Ohio State Buckeyes. Should the Sooners upend top-ranked Missouri in the Big 12 championship game, or if the Panthers could somehow upset No. 2 West Virginia in their regular-season showdown, the third-ranked Buckeyes woul
James Laurinaitis was a beast at Ohio State before his NFL career. (AP file photo/Tony Ding) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Former Wayzata and Ohio State star linebacker James Laurinaitis has joined the Big Ten Network as an analyst. BTN President Mark Silverman said Laurinaitis will co-host a weekly Ohio State show for SportsTime Ohio.

"James Laurinaitis had perhaps the best screen test I've ever seen," Silverman said. "James came in and the intelligence, how thoughtful, well spoken, for somebody who literally just retired months ago, really blew us all away."

Laurinaitis retired from the NFL in April after an eight-year career.

"I'm just humbled and honored at the opportunity," he told the Star Tribune. "I'm ready to work hard, be a sponge, learn and continue to watch and talk about the game I love."

Laurinaitis, 30, played seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams before five games with the Saints last year. He had 869 combined tackles and 16.5 sacks in 117 games.

Chip Scoggins • 612-673-4484

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Chip Scoggins

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Chip Scoggins is a sports columnist and enterprise writer for the Star Tribune. He has worked at the Star Tribune since 2000 and previously covered the Vikings, Gophers football, Wild, Wolves and high school sports.

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