Four days after being introduced as Arizona State's new head football coach, Herm Edwards said farewell to the company he worked for since 2009.
Edwards' final day at ESPN, where he has served as a pro football analyst for the last nine years, came Friday. Edwards said goodbye to longtime co-host and former Arizona Wildcats football star Tedy Bruschi, whom he mentioned during his introductory press conference on Monday.
"I won't say goodbye. I'll say thank you," Edwards said to Bruschi before they shared an emotional hug. "It's been a pleasure, Coach," Bruschi said.
ESPN anchors Suzy Kolber and Trey Wingo teared up as they said goodbye to Herm. "I just hope those people at Arizona State realize how good they're about to have it," Wingo said.
"I've been in millions of people's homes, and hopefully I've served this company with great integrity, and my intention was always to make football better," Edwards said on his final day. "Now I'll have the opportunity to go back on the grass as they call it, and mold some good football players into some young men and hopefully have a lot of success down there.
"You've given me a platform to talk about the game I love, and it's called football. We all benefit from it when it's played right and it's coached right. I promise you: I will give all my effort to get that done at Arizona State."
ESPN included a video message from Edwards' wife and children -- one of his daughters asked for a new puppy -- and his wife thanked everything ESPN has done for Edwards and their family.
Thank you, Coach Herm! pic.twitter.com/Dq152lpAvZ
— ESPN (@espn) December 8, 2017
Bruschi even put his red and blue colors aside for a moment to challenge every football player at ASU to "give this man everything you've got, every single day."
It was @FootballASU coach Herm Edwards final show today at @ESPN. Arizona Wildcat Tedy Bruschi had a message for @TheSunDevils current and future. Christmas miracles do happen. 🔱🎅🏼🎄 pic.twitter.com/lcThkClzU0
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) December 8, 2017
