Jimmie Johnson will serve as SportsCenter host on Tuesday November 19, the first athlete to serve as a host.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson will join hosts John Anderson and Lindsay Czarniak in Bristol, Conn. He will help in presenting news, highlights and conducting interviews just like the hosts.
Only two others who were non-sportscasters have acted as hosts in Sports Center’s 34-year history, actor Billy Crystal (in 2012) and Ken Jeong (Nov. 1).
“We’re always looking for opportunities to change it up and give SportsCenter viewers a different take on the day’s news, have some fun and do some memorable television,” said SportsCenter senior coordinating producer, Jack Obringer. “And having a six-time champion like Jimmie Johnson on your set is pretty cool.”
Johnson joked, “I don’t know if SportsCenter knows what they are getting themselves into.”
Johnson is just off his sixth career NASCAR Spring Cup Series championship. He drives the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet.
SportsCenter airs Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.