A familiar face of the NFL Draft announced on Monday he will be unable to work the 2022 NFL Draft because of a frightening medical issue.
Longtime ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit shared the unfortunate news that his doctors discovered a blood clot.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to come out to Vegas and be a part of this year’s coverage. Doctors have recently found a blood clot in my system and I’m so very fortunate to have really good doctors who I trust,” Herbstreit said. “I feel good, but out of an abundance of caution, I think we’re just going to take a step back from this year’s draft coverage. … I will be watching like everybody else. Look forward to seeing all the different storylines unfold. But I will see you guys at next year’s draft. And you guys have a great week and I just wanted to fill you in on why I will not be out there at the draft this year. Take care.”
Herbstreit, who has been with ESPN for 26 years, is one of the biggest stars in the sports media business. In addition to being an analyst for the NFL Draft, he has long been on ESPN’s acclaimed “College GameDay” studio team and the top color commentator on the outlet’s college football coverage.
The 52-year-old will join Mel Kiper Jr. in missing the event, with the latter saying last week he’d be working the event remotely due to his unvaccinated status.
The beloved color commentator inked a multi-year extension with the company in March, a deal that includes a seat in the booth for Amazon’s new Thursday Night Football package.
