ESPN's Berman Honored with Rozelle Award

ESPN's Chris Berman was named as the 2010 recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, which recognizes “long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”

Berman will receive the award Aug. 6 during the Enshrinees Dinner in Canton, Ohio, when the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 -- Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little, John Randle, Jerry Rice, and Emmitt Smith -- receive their gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jackets.

Their enshrinement ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 and will be televised live on ESPN.

Past recipients of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award include: Bill McPhail (1989); Lindsey Nelson (1990); Ed Sabol (1991); Chris Schenkel (1992); Curt Gowdy (1993); Pat Summerall (1994); Frank Gifford (1995); Jack Buck (1996); Charlie Jones (1997); Val Pinchbeck (1998); Dick Enberg (1999); Ray Scott (2000); Roone Arledge (2001); John Madden (2002); Don Criqui (2003); Van Miller (2004), Myron Cope (2005); Lesley Visser (2006); Don Meredith (2007); Dan Dierdorf (2008); and Irv Cross (2009).

“I embraced pro football a long time ago. I am honored and humbled beyond belief that pro football, in turn, has embraced me," Berman said in in ESPN release. "To have my name associated with Pete Rozelle’s in any way, shape or form is an honor that I take very much to heart.”

“With a signature style and genuine enthusiasm, Chris has informed and entertained millions of football fans as the face of ESPN’s coverage of the National Football League for more than three decades, and we are thrilled that one of our company’s pioneers will take his place among the sport’s most important contributors,” added ESPN President George Bodenheimer in the release.

Berman has been working at ESPN since October 1979, one month after the network launched. This season marks his 25th consecutive season as studio host of "Sunday NFL Countdown," the weekly Sunday morning show that has won seven Sports Emmy awards for outstanding weekly studio show. He has worked with Tom Jackson on the show since 1987, when ESPN first acquired the rights to carry NFL games.

In addition, Berman has covered 28 Super Bowls and served as master of ceremonies for the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony for 10 years (1999-2008). In 2009, he presented Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. during the enshrinement ceremony.

Additionally, Berman has anchored ESPN’s annual NFL Draft telecast since 1987.

Berman has been named National Sportscaster of the Year six times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. His various shows have won 10 Emmy Awards and 12 CableACEs.