History of Boomer Esiason in Timeline

Boomer Esiason is a former NFL quarterback known for his time with the Cincinnati Bengals. Drafted in the second round in 1984 after playing college football at Maryland, he spent 14 seasons in the NFL, also playing for the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. Esiason's career is most associated with his success leading the Bengals.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 17, 1961: Boomer Esiason Born

On April 17, 1961, Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason was born. He later became a professional football quarterback.

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1979: High School Graduation

In 1979, Boomer Esiason graduated from East Islip High School. He was a three-sport varsity player in football, basketball, and baseball.

1982: All-American Honorable Mention

In 1982, Boomer Esiason received an honorable mention as an All-American while playing college football at the University of Maryland.

1983: All-American Honorable Mention

In 1983, Boomer Esiason received an honorable mention as an All-American while playing college football at the University of Maryland.

October 7, 1984: First Pro Start

On October 7, 1984, Boomer Esiason had his first professional start in a home game against the Houston Oilers, leading the Bengals to a 13-3 victory and scoring the game's only touchdown.

1984: College Graduation

In 1984, Boomer Esiason graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. degree.

1984: Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals

In 1984, Boomer Esiason was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the NFL draft as the 38th overall pick.

September 22, 1985: Full-Time Starting Quarterback

On September 22, 1985, Boomer Esiason became the Bengals' full-time starting quarterback, taking over for Ken Anderson in a game against the San Diego Chargers.

December 21, 1986: Record-Setting Performance

On December 21, 1986, in the final game of the season, Boomer Esiason set a team record by throwing five touchdown passes in a 52-21 victory over the New York Jets, also setting the team's single-season passing record of 3,959 yards. This was the last game for Ken Anderson.

1986: Marriage to Cheryl

In 1986, Boomer Esiason married his wife, Cheryl.

1986: Pro Bowl Selection

In 1986, Boomer Esiason was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1988: NFL MVP and Super Bowl Appearance

In 1988, Boomer Esiason had his most successful season, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and leading the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII.

March 18, 1989: Family Feud Appearance

On March 18, 1989, Boomer Esiason appeared on the "Bengals v. 49ers" episode of Family Feud.

October 29, 1989: Ties Touchdown Pass Record

On October 29, 1989, Boomer Esiason tied his own record for touchdown passes in a game with five, as the Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 56-23.

1989: Pro Bowl Selection

In 1989, Boomer Esiason was selected to the Pro Bowl.

October 7, 1990: Single Game Passing Record

On October 7, 1990, Boomer Esiason threw for 490 yards, setting a single-game team passing record, in a 34-31 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

1990: Inducted into Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

In 1990, Boomer Esiason was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in the Football Category.

1993: Traded to New York Jets

Before the 1993 season, Boomer Esiason was traded to the New York Jets.

1993: Family Feud Appearance

In 1993, Boomer Esiason made a second appearance on Family Feud in the episode "NFC v. AFC".

1993: Pro Bowl Selection

In 1993, Boomer Esiason was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1994: Plays under Pete Carroll

In 1994, Boomer Esiason played for the Jets under head coach Pete Carroll.

1995: Released by the Jets

After the 1995 season, Boomer Esiason was released by the New York Jets.

1995: Concussion Injury

During the 1995 season on October 8, Boomer Esiason suffered a severe concussion in a game against the Buffalo Bills after a collision with Bruce Smith.

1995: Authored A Boy Named Boomer

In 1995, Boomer Esiason authored a children's reader titled A Boy Named Boomer.

A Boy Named Boomer (Hello Reader!, Level 3)

Check it on Amazon

1995: Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

In 1995, Boomer Esiason received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his charitable work.

November 10, 1996: Fifth Best Passing Yardage Day in NFL History

On November 10, 1996, during the season with the Arizona Cardinals, Boomer Esiason threw for 522 yards in a 37-34 overtime victory against the Washington Redskins.

1996: Partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald

In 1996, Boomer Esiason formed a partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald and Howard Lutnick, relocating the foundation offices to the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

December 21, 1997: Final NFL Game

On December 21, 1997, Boomer Esiason played his last NFL game. He threw two touchdowns, including a 79-yard pass to Darnay Scott, in a 16-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

1997: Retirement

At his retirement in 1997, Boomer Esiason finished in the top 10 all-time in many QB career statistical categories.

September 19, 1998: Co-hosted Miss America Pageant

On September 19, 1998, Boomer Esiason co-hosted the Miss America Pageant with Meredith Vieira.

1998: Color Commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football

In 1998, Boomer Esiason became a color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football.

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1998: Co-wrote Toss

In 1998, Boomer Esiason co-wrote a novel titled Toss with Lowell Cauffiel.

Toss

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1998: Analyst Position Offer

In 1998, Boomer Esiason was offered an analyst's position on ABC's Monday Night Football for the third year in a row.

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1998: Residence in Plandome, New York

Since at least 1998, Esiason and his family have resided in the village of Plandome, New York.

1999: Miss America 1999 Appearance

In 1999, Boomer Esiason appeared in Miss America 1999.

1999: Distinguished Alumnus Award

In 1999, Boomer Esiason received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Maryland.

1999: Color Commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football

In 1999, Boomer Esiason was a color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football.

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2000: Lead Analyst for Westwood One

In 2000, Boomer Esiason became the lead analyst for Westwood One radio network for radio broadcasts of Monday Night Football and Super Bowl games.

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2001: September 11 Attacks

In 2001, the North Tower of the World Trade Center, where the Boomer Esiason Foundation offices were located, was destroyed in the September 11 attacks. While all foundation employees survived, Esiason knew over 100 people who were killed, including his best friend Tim O'Brien.

2002: Analyst for The NFL Today

From 2002, Boomer Esiason was an analyst for The NFL Today on CBS television.

2002: Co-hosted Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In 2002, Boomer Esiason co-hosted the CBS broadcast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Julie Chen.

2004: Inducted into Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame

In 2004, Boomer Esiason was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.

April 2007: CBS Radio Try-Out

In April 2007, CBS Radio gave Boomer Esiason a one-week try-out to replace Don Imus on WFAN.

September 4, 2007: Boomer and Carton Show Launch

On September 4, 2007, Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton officially started their radio program, Boomer and Carton, on WFAN after Esiason was named the permanent host replacing Don Imus.

2010: Boomer and Carton on MSG Network

In 2010, the Boomer and Carton radio program started being broadcast on the MSG Network, where it stayed until 2013.

May 29, 2011: Iron Chef America Judge

On May 29, 2011, Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton served as judges on an episode of Iron Chef America.

September 2012: Joined CBS Radio

In September 2012, CBS Radio announced that Boomer Esiason was added to their collection of talent to deliver five sports updates per day, Monday through Friday.

2012: Co-hosted Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials

Boomer Esiason co-hosted Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials starting in 2012.

March 8, 2013: Radio Broadcast of a Brooklyn Nets Game

On March 8, 2013, Esiason and Carton broadcasted a Brooklyn Nets basketball game on the radio.

2013: Guest on The Jim Rome Show

Starting in 2013, Boomer Esiason began appearing once a week as a guest on The Jim Rome Show during the NFL season.

January 2014: Simulcast on CBS Sports Network

In January 2014, The Boomer and Carton radio program started being simulcast on the CBS Sports Network.

October 3, 2014: Blue Bloods Cameo

On October 3, 2014, Boomer Esiason made a cameo appearance as himself on an episode of Blue Bloods.

2015: Commissioner of Feline Football League

In 2015, Boomer Esiason became the Commissioner of the FFL (Feline Football League) for Kitten Bowl II on the Hallmark Channel.

September 2017: Craig Carton's Arrest and Resignation

In September 2017, Craig Carton was arrested and charged with operating a concert ticket Ponzi scheme. Consequently, Carton resigned from WFAN.

January 2, 2018: Gregg Giannotti Joins as Co-Host

On January 2, 2018, Gregg Giannotti became Boomer Esiason's permanent co-host, and the show was renamed Boomer and Gio.

September 6, 2018: Left Westwood One

As planned, after broadcasting the Thursday Night Football game on September 6, 2018, Boomer Esiason left Westwood One.

2018: Broadcasted Super Bowl LII

In 2018, Boomer Esiason broadcasted his last Super Bowl (SB LII), totaling 19 Super Bowls broadcasted, which is a broadcast record.

2018: Scholarships Awarded by BEF

In 2018, the Boomer Esiason Foundation awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to almost 100 students.

September 14, 2019: Game Time With Boomer Esiason Launch

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, Boomer Esiason launched "Game Time With Boomer Esiason," a series of interviews with sports personalities.

2019: Active Hockey Participation

As of 2019, Boomer Esiason plays in up to 70 recreational-league hockey games a year and also participates in the annual Mikey Strong Charity Hockey game with NHL alumni.