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.