Dan Dierdorf, who followed a Hall of Fame career as an offensive lineman with a three-decade career as a broadcaster, is retiring.
CBS announced today that this season will be Dierdorf’s last in the booth. The 64-year-old Dierdorf suggested that the physical difficulties of traveling each week are the primary reason he has decided to step aside.
“I have been blessed to spend my entire life in the game I love,” Dierdorf said in a statement. “I had an opportunity to go from the field directly to the broadcast booth where I have had the privilege of working with the giants of our business including Ray Scott, Lindsey Nelson, Jack Buck, Dick Stockton, Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Verne Lundquist, Dick Enberg and lastly, my partner, Greg Gumbel. It has become a challenge for me to travel to a different NFL city every week, so it’s time to step aside. This has been a wonderful ride as I really have lived the dream.”
After an All-American career at Michigan, Dierdorf was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. He had a 13-year career, was chosen to six Pro Bowls and was elected to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His broadcasting career began as soon as his playing career ended, meaning this is his 43rd consecutive year in the NFL.