History of Chris Berman in Timeline

Chris Berman, nicknamed "Boomer," is a prominent American sportscaster known for his long tenure at ESPN. Joining in 1979 shortly after its launch, he became a recognizable face through anchoring SportsCenter. Berman also hosted key NFL programs like Sunday NFL Countdown (1985-2016) and NFL Primetime (1987-2005, 2019-present). His contributions extended to other major sporting events, including U.S. Open golf, the Stanley Cup Finals, and Major League Baseball, including play-by-play for select games and the Home Run Derby until 2016, solidifying his presence in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 10, 1955: Christopher James Berman's Birth

On May 10, 1955, Christopher James Berman, also known as "Boomer", was born.

Others born on this day/year

1970: Enrolls at the Hackley School

In 1970, Chris Berman enrolled at the Hackley School.

1977: Graduates from Brown University

In 1977, Chris Berman graduated from Brown University with a degree in history.

1979: Joins ESPN

In 1979, Chris Berman joined ESPN a month after its founding and has remained with the network since.

1983: Marriage to Katherine Alexinski

In 1983, Chris Berman married Katherine "Kathy" Alexinski.

1985: Host of Sunday NFL Countdown

In 1985, Chris Berman began hosting the Sunday NFL Countdown program on ESPN.

1987: Host of NFL Primetime

In 1987, Chris Berman started hosting NFL Primetime.

1988: Hosts First Game Show

From 1988 to 1989, Chris Berman hosted ESPN's first game show, Boardwalk and Baseball's Super Bowl of Sports Trivia.

1989: Hosts First Game Show

From 1988 to 1989, Chris Berman hosted ESPN's first game show, Boardwalk and Baseball's Super Bowl of Sports Trivia.

1990: Sports Illustrated Feature Article

A 1990 Sports Illustrated article cited Chris Berman's playfulness, humor, and Fred Flintstone-like persona.

1991: Appeared in Necessary Roughness

In 1991, Chris Berman appeared as himself in Necessary Roughness.

1993: Described as Leader of ESPN Team

By 1993, Chris Berman was recognized as the leader of the ESPN team and a highly recognizable sportscaster.

1993: Appeared in The Program

In 1993, Chris Berman appeared in The Program.

1994: Appeared in Little Big League

In 1994, Chris Berman appeared as himself in Little Big League.

1995: Hosting Monday Night Football

Between 1995 and 2006, Chris Berman hosted Monday Night Football and live coverage of three Super Bowls for ABC Sports.

1995: Cameo in Hootie and the Blowfish Video

In 1995, Chris Berman made a cameo appearance in the Hootie and the Blowfish video for the single "Only Wanna Be With You."

1996: Appeared in Eddie and Kingpin

In 1996, Chris Berman appeared in Eddie and Kingpin.

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1998: Appeared in The Waterboy

In 1998, Chris Berman appeared in Adam Sandler's comedy The Waterboy as himself.

2005: Appeared in The Longest Yard

In 2005, Chris Berman appeared in Adam Sandler's The Longest Yard, playing himself as the play-by-play announcer.

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2005: End of NFL Primetime hosting duties

In 2005, Chris Berman stopped hosting NFL Primetime, before returning to it in 2019.

2006: Hosting Monday Night Football

Between 1995 and 2006, Chris Berman hosted Monday Night Football and live coverage of three Super Bowls for ABC Sports. In 2006 he continued hosting Monday Night Football when ESPN got the rights.

December 2008: Associated Press Retrospective on Berman's Career

In December 2008, the Associated Press published a retrospective on Chris Berman's 30-year career with ESPN, highlighting his importance to the network.

April 2010: ESPN Extends Berman's Contract

In April 2010, ESPN extended Chris Berman's contract for an undisclosed multi-year period.

July 26, 2012: Acknowledges being a Bills Booster

On July 26, 2012, Chris Berman acknowledged that he could be called a "Bills Booster" in an interview with Buffalo Bills reporter John Murphy.

2013: Appeared in Grown Ups 2

In 2013, Chris Berman made a cameo appearance in the comedy Grown Ups 2.

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September 2016: Bruce Smith's Bills Hall of Fame induction

In September 2016, Chris Berman was involved with Bruce Smith's Bills Hall of Fame induction.

2016: Departure from Sunday NFL Countdown

In 2016, Chris Berman stepped down from hosting the Sunday NFL Countdown program.

2016: Contract Expiration

In 2016, Chris Berman's contract with ESPN was revealed to expire at the end of the year.

2016: Tom Jackson Replaced

In 2016, Herm Edwards replaced Tom Jackson, who hosted the evening Sportscenter with Chris Berman.

January 2017: Signs new contract with ESPN

In January 2017, Chris Berman signed a new contract with ESPN for a reduced schedule, but remained at the network.

January 2017: Stepping Down from NFL Roles

In January 2017, ESPN announced that Chris Berman would step down from several NFL-related roles but would remain at the company.

May 10, 2017: Death of Katherine Berman

On May 10, 2017, Katherine Berman died in a traffic collision in Woodbury, Connecticut. She was driving drunk and crashed into another vehicle, killing herself and the other driver.