Samantha Ponder Moves to 'NFL Sunday Countdown' to Replace Chris Berman

ESPN announced Thursday that Samantha Ponder will leave "College Gameday" to replace Chris Berman as host of "Sunday NFL Countdown."

Ponder will be only the third host of the show. She formerly was a sideline reporter for "Saturday Night Football" as well.

In a letter Ponder wrote after the announcement, she thanked her colleagues at “College Gameday” for always making her feel like an equal and for “loving on Scout” (her daughter). “I love you all more than you know,” Ponder concluded, For The Win reported.

“There is no such thing as replacing Chris Berman,” Ponder said in another statement, Yahoo Sports reported, “but the chance to build on his incredible legacy while simultaneously taking new risks to serve NFL fans is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

One of Berman’s other duties on ESPN, hosting the NFL Draft, will be handled by Troy Wingo. Suzy Kolber will become solo host of "Monday Night Countdown" along with the "Monday Night Football" halftime and postgame shows, Yahoo Sports reported.

Twitter users were split between congratulating Ponder and questioning her appointment.

@espn Ur choice of Samantha Ponder to be the lead on ur NFL panel is miss-guided. Once more we get political correctness over substance. pic.twitter.com/uB6w2N1ZUM

— I could SCREAM! (@ACertifiedNut) March 23, 2017

ESPN names Samantha Ponder new ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ host https://t.co/BqPnrwNuQ9 You can't replace Chris!!!

— Lori (@SorianoLori) March 23, 2017

@JoshWissler who would've thought the most successful Ponder NFL career would be Samantha?

— Kyle Thiede (@BTFU_Theed) March 23, 2017

Samantha is a great pro,better person & wonderful teammate. We'll miss her but are thrilled 4 her. NFL crew,you got a winner w/ @sam_ponder https://t.co/sbMZ2NmzbX

— Rece Davis (@ESPN_ReceDavis) March 23, 2017

@LauraMRutledge @sam_ponder this was a home run by ESPN. They haven't had many lately either.

— Steve (@afac1964) March 23, 2017

@sam_ponder Thank you for representing women fans in the BEST way & reminding everyone that we ❤️football just as much/more than the boys!

— Laurynn Gorski (@LaurynnGorski) March 23, 2017

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