Todd Backledge’s father, Ron Blackledge, has an incredible thirty-three years of coaching experience. He also offers extensive expertise as a former college athlete. Todd, like his father, shares his interest, particularly in sports. Blackledge acknowledges his NFL accomplishments to this day and thanks his father for his constant support and assistance. Todd Blackledge, a former professional from 1983 to 1989, played in the National Football League (NFL) for more than six seasons.
Todd decided to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions after high school, and he helped the team win the Sugar Bowl in 1983. During his professional career, the quarterback played for two teams: the Kansas City Chiefs (1983–1987) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1988–1989). He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft and spent much of his time as a backup quarterback for both clubs.
Following his retirement, the former football player pursued a career in broadcasting, beginning as a college football commentator with ABC Sports in 1994. Todd just joined NBC Sports as a color commentator, after a 17-year stint with ESPN.
Who is Todd Blackledge’s father? Know about Ron Blackledge
As previously stated, Todd’s father, Ron Blackledge (born April 15, 1938), is proud of his excellent career as a former player and coach. The Timken High School alumni were named first or second-team All-Ohio in football, basketball, and baseball. In addition, while at Bowling Green State University, he played football (1957-1959) and baseball (1958-1960), garnering all-conference accolades in both sports. In appreciation of his achievements, Ron was elected into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972.
After graduating, he became a coach, serving as head high school football coach at Canton South, Glenwood, and Timken. From 1968 to 1980, he coached offensive lines at many institutions, including Ashland, Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Kenn State University. Later, Ron began his NFL career as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1982. Aside from that, he was an offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 1992 to 1997.
Why Did the Broadcaster Leave ESPN?
Fans have shown a rising interest in learning about the reasons behind the broadcaster’s departure from ESPN. Todd Blackledge, a college football commentator for ESPN since 2006, will leave the network this season in January 2023. Following his departure, he joined NBC Sports as the color commentator for Big Ten Saturday Night, with Noah Eagle.
In an interview with The Athletic, Todd stated:
“It wasn’t as much what was wrong with ESPN as what was right with NBC.”
Todd explained further,
“When NBC came and kind of started talking to me about what this project was going to be, what this new adventure was going to be, I was very intrigued.”
Furthermore, he claimed that NBC made him feel important and desired, and he appreciates working somewhere that makes him feel this way.
