Legendary broadcaster Ernie Johnson announced his retirement from Inside the NBA yesterday and he joined Dan Patrick to talk about his illustrious career and what prompted his decision to hang up the microphone. He shares some intimate details on this, the 5th anniversary of his son’s passing.
Ernie Johnson: “I have something that I could say that makes me want to cry and I don't…I don't want to burden you with this because it's, it's a really personal and, and so it's five years ago today, my son died. It was October 29th, 2021. And, and Michael hated the fact that I had a job. He just wanted me around all the time. So, he would always say like, ‘Daddy, retire, daddy, retire, daddy, retire.’ And it's like, one of these days, Michael, I will, one of these days I won't have to go to work, but he hated it when I, when I had to go to ‘Daddy going to the British opening?’ So, it was five years ago today. And so, it just seems fitting that it's, and I never thought, didn't even think about it ‘til yesterday. And I was like, wow, he'd kind of enjoy that, you know, even though it's not a retirement, it's a cutting back, but it would have, you know, achieved the same thing.”
Dan Patrick: “And I remember when I heard the news. Today's my son's birthday, and therefore I remembered that. And I remember reaching out to you and I had no idea what to say to you other than I was thinking of you. But yeah, and what he meant to you and what you and your wife did and how you took care of him. I mean, it's really a remarkable story.”
Ernie: “He impacts us every day, man. He's touched more lives than I ever will so, yeah. So, Cheryl and I both would just want to get through this day every year. And it actually helps talk to you about it so, I appreciate you.”