Why a veteran sportscaster runs the 40-yard dash in a full suit every year
In short: Rich Eisen is a fixture of American sports broadcasting, but his most enduring tradition began as a casual challenge. Since 2005, the former ESPN and NFL Network anchor has sprinted the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in a suit, turning a lighthearted moment into a massive charitable endeavor.
Born in Brooklyn and raised on Staten Island, Rich Eisen built a career defined by versatility. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1990 and earning a master's degree from Northwestern in 1994, he spent years in local news before joining ESPN in 1996. There, he became a familiar face on SportsCenter, known for his humor and impressions, before becoming the first on-air talent hired by the NFL Network in 2003.
Eisen accepted, choosing to run in his professional attire. This annual sprint eventually evolved into the RunRichRun campaign, a charitable initiative that has raised over $5.2 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His dedication to this cause earned him the 2017 Pat Summerall Award, and the image of his run has become a trademark for his media projects.
Beyond the track, Eisen has maintained a prolific career across multiple platforms. He launched his own podcast in 2010—the first for NFL.com—and began The Rich Eisen Show in 2014. The program has navigated a complex media landscape, moving through various networks including Audience, NBCSN, Peacock, and The Roku Channel, before his return to ESPN in 2025. His work extends into popular culture as well, with appearances in films like Draft Day and sitcoms such as The Odd Couple.
Eisen's influence also touches on the lighter side of football culture, such as his 2012 'Punters Are People Too' movement. Whether he is hosting high-profile league events like the Super Bowl or engaging in comedy bits on Saturday Night Live, Eisen remains a central figure in sports media. His 2025 return to ESPN, where he once again hosts SportsCenter, marks a full-circle moment in a career that has spanned three decades of evolving television and radio formats.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rich Eisen
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