David Pollack Finds Peace After ESPN Exit While Pat McAfee Steps Into the Spotlight
You know, it’s always tough when a big change hits you out of nowhere — especially when you don’t see it coming. That’s exactly what happened to David Pollack, the former Georgia star and longtime ESPN College GameDay analyst. After nearly 15 years with the network, Pollack was let go during ESPN’s massive layoffs in June 2023. It caught him completely off guard. One day, he picks up the phone thinking he’s just catching up with Lee Fitting — then mid-conversation, it hits him: “This is one of those calls.” And just like that, his time at ESPN was over.
But here’s the thing — instead of bitterness, Pollack chose gratitude. And honestly, that’s rare.
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He admitted it hurt a bit not having a final show, no last chance to soak in the GameDay energy. But once the dust settled, he realized something much more important: he got time back — real time — with his family. His wife, Lindsey, was diagnosed with brain cancer, and instead of flying across the country every weekend, he’s been home, by her side, with their two kids, coaching their teams, living in the moment.
Pollack even started his own podcast, See Ball Get Ball , to keep his love for college football alive in his own way. And he’s coaching — both football and girls’ basketball — which has added a new kind of joy and purpose to his days.
Now, of course, people have noticed who replaced him on GameDay. It’s Pat McAfee — the larger-than-life former punter turned media force. Pollack didn’t blame McAfee for anything, though. In fact, he gave him props. “Pat’s really good at what he does. Very different, very unique,” he said. Pollack just acknowledged the business side of TV — budgets, personalities, priorities. Sometimes, there’s only room for one big voice, and ESPN made their choice.
Still, you can feel that Pollack misses the camaraderie. The off-camera laughs, the pre-show dinners, the production team — those behind-the-scenes folks who become like family after 15 years. Guys like Rece Davis, who he calls one of his closest friends. That’s what stings more than anything: not just losing a job, but walking away from a team.
Yet despite all that, Pollack’s focus right now isn’t on returning to TV — even if the offers are there. It’s on something deeper. It’s about being present. Supporting Lindsey. Soaking in time with his kids. Living life with intention.
Honestly, it’s one of those stories where you realize that sometimes, a professional setback can become a personal blessing. And for David Pollack, stepping away from the GameDay spotlight turned out to be exactly what his family needed.
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