(July 28, 2005) -- Rich Gannon will join CBS Sports as an NFL game analyst.
Gannon, who will turn 40 in December, has not officially retired from the Oakland Raiders. But the NFL's 2002 MVP has sustained numerous injuries. Last season, he fractured a vertebra in his neck in the third week after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks.
Gannon told the Minneapolis Star Tribune he would officially retire Aug. 6 in Oakland.
"I'm excited," said Gannon, who spent 18 seasons in the NFL, including the past six with the Raiders. "I'm so passionate about this game, and it has been so good to me for the better part of 17 years. I want to stay involved and continue to do what I do. That's look at film, break down opponents, analyze players and look at tendencies. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring that insight and perspective to fans at home."
Gannon will team with Craig Bolerjack on The NFL on CBS.
"We are thrilled to be adding Rich to our broadcast team," CBS Sports president Sean McManus said. "He has proven himself to be a great quarterback and leader for 18 years in the NFL, and we expect him to bring that experience, knowledge and dedication to our NFL broadcasts."
Gannon has passed for 28,743 yards and 180 touchdowns in his career with Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City and Oakland. He won his MVP award while leading the Raiders to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, passing for 4,689 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing more than 67 percent of his passes.
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