Football analyst David Pollack’s response to losing his job at ESPN was lauded by his colleagues and by fellow Christians as an example of grace under pressure.
“I don’t know what’s next,” said the former College GameDay commentator in a video posted on Twitter, in which he also referenced the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:31. “I have no clue what’s next in my life. But one thing God’s shown me all along the way, man, is He is for me. He’s not against me.”
Pollack was one of several well-known on-air personalities included in the layoffs, which followed an earlier round of cuts in April. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, announced early this year it would eliminate 7,000 jobs in an effort to lower costs. The most recent layoffs at ESPN also included basketball analysts Jalen Rose and Jeff Van Gundy, NFL Draft expert Todd McShay and veteran sideline reporter Suzi Kolber.
A three-time All-American from the University of Georgia, Pollack has been an outspoken Christian throughout his football career and tenure at ESPN. The Christian Index reported he recently shared his testimony at First Baptist Church in Alpharetta, recounting how he came to Christ as a high schooler after attending a church lock-in.
“Class personified,” tweeted Pollack’s College GameDay teammate Rece Davis in response to Pollack’s video, calling him a “man of God.”
James Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia and a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, tweeted, “The Lord gave me the privilege years ago to get to know @davidpollack47 when he was a player @GeorgiaFootball. I have watched him become far more than an all American player — he is now an all American husband, father, and Xn. Love this bro!”
‘It’s going to be amazing’
At Georgia, Pollack holds the record for career sacks and won numerous honors, including two SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the first round of the 2005 draft, but Pollack suffered a career-ending neck injury in his second season with the team.
He joined ESPN in 2009 and its College GameDay broadcast in 2011. With his wife, Lindsey, he launched the Pollack Family Foundation to support families in Athens, Georgia and Greater Atlanta.
Pollack’s Twitter video recounted his career’s twists and turns, referencing the injury and his subsequent shift to TV, coaching and speaking.
“I know God’s got something amazing for me,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be, but thank you to all my teammates and all the people that played a part in it, and all you that watched and cheered me on. I don’t know what’s next, but I know it’s going to be amazing.”
