By now, you’ve likely heard that ESPN has shockingly unshockingly let go of one of its most respected sports reporters in John Clayton. Clayton’s two decades of experience and Hall of Fame career was no match for the “company-wide restructuring” that cost the company over 100 casualties starting last month.
Clayton served as senior NFL writer and commentator at ESPN for 23 years and starred in the greatest “This is SportsCenter” TV commercials. In 2007, Clayton was inducted into the writer’s wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Clayton is still talking NFL with an ESPN connection. Clayton also hosts a radio show in Seattle, and will continue in that role, according to Sporting News.
I guess you saw the news. After 23 years I won't be contributing to ESPN. Two words. Thank you. My bosses and co-workers are the best.
— Family of John Clayton (@JohnClaytonNFL) May 31, 2017
By the way I am keeping the ponytail
— Family of John Clayton (@JohnClaytonNFL) May 31, 2017
Despite Clayton’s acceptance of his fate, many sports fans were irate to see their fan favorite get the axe. Here are some of the reactions that best sum up the temperature on Twitter.
espn got rid of John Clayton? pic.twitter.com/0VbkoCT6Bj
— Tony X (@soIoucity) May 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/HunterSCollins/status/869909780407758848
https://twitter.com/drewmagary/status/869968783699529733
ESPN: "Surveys show you're one of the few here that viewers like."
John Clayton: "Great!"
ESPN: "Actually, that's not what we're going for."— B. Miller (@BlaiseInKC) May 31, 2017
I'm sad to hear John Clayton is out at ESPN. In honor of his career, here's my favorite John Clayton moment: When he malfunctioned and froze pic.twitter.com/cYfqJKQ9uE
— Tiffany Oshinsky (@TMOluvsSports) May 31, 2017
All these ESPN layoffs show you where sports media is. Hot takes only. Very little analysis. Good luck to John Clayton
— Best Sport Opinions (@KingOfOpinion34) May 31, 2017
Well, since John Clayton is getting laid off by ESPN. Here's one of my favorite moments from him.https://t.co/mvjJrDvZKY
— Oktoberfest Survivor (@A_A_Ron_Rodgers) May 31, 2017
How does ESPN get rid of John Clayton??? And we're still stuck with Stephen A Smith? pic.twitter.com/gzvwPj80i5
— Nick Russo (@N_Russ0) May 31, 2017
Ed Werder gone, Trent Dilfer gone, John Clayton gone, Paul Kuharsky gone, Adam Caplan gone.
Adam Schefter walking into ESPN NFL office like pic.twitter.com/reZrWCVXCF
— Oktoberfest Survivor (@A_A_Ron_Rodgers) May 31, 2017
The future of ESPN pic.twitter.com/inP6VulzXK
— Robby Mac (@RobMacNYJETS) May 31, 2017
This one is for you @ClaytonESPN pic.twitter.com/R42qXrCbLZ
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) May 31, 2017
Heroes get remembered. Legends never die.