But within roughly a year, Blackmon found himself out of work with the show, prompting a candid update about his status. Being released from a broadcasting gig is challenging for any former professional athlete, and news that his premium NFL streaming privileges were also revoked added another sting. Blackmon took to social media to share his frustration: “Damn. NFL media let me go and deactivated my NFL+ Account. Cold world lol.”
The NFL’s terms and conditions explain that NFL+ access can be reviewed, modified, restricted, or terminated at the league’s discretion, with or without notice. The policy states that if a user is believed to have violated prohibitions, the league may terminate access immediately and may pursue further action as needed.
Blackmon joined the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football in 2025. Changes in ownership and leadership—specifically ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Network’s assets in 2026—complicated contract decisions. Reports indicate ESPN absorbed active NFL Network contracts in March 2026, with Disney, as the parent company, determining the fate of those contracts. An industry source suggested that even senior reporters and anchors were anxiously assessing their futures in light of the consolidation.
Public commentary from industry outlets suggested that ESPN chose not to renew Blackmon’s contract. Blackmon himself reacted to the news with a blunt remark about being sidelined: “Dang ESPN/GMFB let me go on my day off. I was added to the roster in April and didn’t even get a snap. A healthy scratch. I went from practice squad to a camp body.”
Despite the staffing changes, Good Morning Football continues to air, though ESPN operates the program independently. Industry outlets likened this arrangement to how certain networks function under larger corporate umbrellas, with a rotating cast of contributors including notable names who have moved through different assignments.
Blackmon’s career in broadcasting spans more than a single role. After retiring from 12 years in the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2011, he moved into broadcasting as an analyst for Sky Sports UK. While he initially faced some challenges as an analyst, he steadily progressed. A core belief he has shared is that teamwork and chemistry matter: “The thing that works across the board is just being a good teammate. Being on the same page with your play-by-play guy. You two are having fun. Or even in media, just having no ego and let’s just all have fun. Let’s all put on a really good show.”
Since then, Blackmon has continued to grow as a broadcaster. He has contributed to FS1 and played an integral role in The CW’s ACC football coverage. In conversations about the broader media landscape and criticism from peers, he has publicly acknowledged others who paved the way for his generation and emphasized persistence in pursuing opportunities across multiple networks.
Currently, Blackmon remains active in football broadcasting and continues to contribute as a booth analyst for The CW’s Pac-12 coverage. While the specifics behind the NFL+ account deactivation remain undisclosed, his continued presence in broadcasting demonstrates resilience and adaptability in a competitive media environment.
The broader takeaway is that transitions between playing careers and media roles can be turbulent, with ownership changes, contract decisions, and platform policies all influencing career trajectories. Blackmon’s experience highlights the importance of versatility, relationship-building, and maintaining a forward-looking approach in the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting.
