SportsCenter host Lindsay Czarniak

ANOTHER Great Reason To Watch SPORTSCENTER: The Amazing LINDSAY CZARNIAK!

We admit it- when a woman knows more about sports than we do, we’re not threatened- we’re impressed, and when it comes to the incredible sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, we’re simply floored! In all honesty, we would all give our left arm to be able to do what Czarniak does and go from game to game, meet the biggest and best athletes, and get paid to talk about sports, but, we have to admit that it does take a certain level of skill- and this fiery football fan is just as great as the likes of Al Michaels, Vin Scully and Joe Buck!

SportsCenter has always been one of our favorite shows, but, with Czarniak on board, they actually found a way to make something great even better– adding a breath of fresh air to the screen and a fantastic female’s perspective. She not only knows her stuff inside and out, she is sharp as a tact and has great camera presence- and we can’t help but say that she is definitely a treat to look at as well!

And not only does Lindsay hold basically a degree in football knowledge, she is also extremely well rounded in her athletic interests from The Olympics to racecars! She’s been trained by some of the best in the business, such as George Michael, and is even married to one of the greatest news anchors on television- Craig Melvin. Lindsay jokes that if one of their children became a weather person than they can make their own program- and that is something we’d love to see! But, as for the million dollar question of who’s going to win the Super Bowl? Well, read below to see who Lindsay predicts!

So, becoming a sports anchor makes you a bit of a diamond in the rough as far as females go. How did you get into that? Were you always a fan of sports?

Yes, I was always a huge fan of sports! My journey to get to where I am was something I didn’t expect and certainly an interesting one. I started on the news, and then I had this opportunity to pivot and get into sports. I was working in Jacksonville as a newscaster, and I met some folks when I was helping at a NASCAR race being that I’m a huge fan. So, we struck up a conversation and some of the guys at the station in Daytona said that they had an opening in Miami and was wondering if I would be interested. So, long story short, that’s how I transitioned into sports! But, my dad was actually a sports writer when I was growing up- he works for USA Today, so this career was always in front of me, I just didn’t realize it would be the same path I would be working toward because I was just more headed in the news direction. That being said, I really feel very fortunate to have made that turn because the stories that sports deliver so are amazing and heartwarming. So, that’s really how I got into the profession, and then after I did sports in Miami, George Michael- the sportscaster who was very well known in the 80’s- he hired me to come work for him in Washington D.C.- which is where I’m from, so I went back to work for him for six years before finally winding up at ESPN. So, that’s my story in a nutshell! But, I was always interested in the story of sports, and also the human interest attribute as well, so, that’s really what lead me there.

Sports is usually known to be an industry dominated by men. Can you talk about always being surrounded by males, and how important it is to bring more women into the arena?

I think it is great seeing the amount of women who are now doing what we do- it’s huge. Since I started my career after college I’ve worked several jobs where I was the only female in the sports department, but, really, ESPN is the first place I’ve worked in this arena where I am among other on-air women who are doing sports and behind the scenes- and it’s hugely important, just like it is in any field. Women are just as good and we’re just as passionate. It’s hugely important to make sure we are getting more women in management positions. Now, at this point of my career I’m realizing that if you can help mentor or bring up another woman in doing what I do then that’s really important- and the industry is changing so much that we’re really going to see it so much more, and I hope that we’re going to see more women in the most prominent roles in sports as well. So, I think that’s the next step.

You are the prime time host of “SportsCenter” on ESPN- and that is a very coveted position. Are there any particular sportscasters you’ve admired along the way that paved the way for you?

Oh, God, there are a million. I think right off the bat; Bob Costas is someone I have to mention. I’ve been lucky enough to see him work up close and personal at The Olympics when I covered them for NBC. He is someone who I think is just amazing at what he does. Al Michaels is another one. My old co-anchor, John Anderson, he is one of the most talented people I’ve ever been around- not only because of the way he does highlights, but also because of his writing and quick-wit. He is really the whole package. George Michael, again, he is really no question the most influential person to me in my career so far because of the things he taught me and the way he conducted business- these are things I will take with me to my grave. Then, there are females, like Hannah Storm- I think the way she conveys herself on air is tremendous and I definitely look up to her as well. But, I don’t just look at on-air anchors that do sports, I think it’s very important to show your personality, so there are some shows I watch where I really admire a person just for their presence. For example; Robin Roberts, or Diane Sawyer- people like that. I love to look at all different people and pull different characteristics you might see from them.

You also just welcomed a second child with your husband, “Weekend Today Show” host; Craig Melvin. How has it been juggling motherhood and such a busy life? Any chance your kids will grow up to be hosts or anchors?

[Chuckles] We always joke that if we can have one of them become a weather person then we can actually run a cable program from our house- we would have sports, news and weather covered! [Laughs] But, it’s just the most amazing chaos! Our life might be hectic, but we do have this incredible support system surrounding us and it has been a bit of a challenge to try and make it work, but we have figured out how to make it work, and we have people that are extremely flexible- and that is definitely a blessing. I’ve been able to take my son with me for SportsCenter, and he has come a lot of places- and that has just been so special for me because as a working mom I know that my kids are taken care of, but you also get to have your kids with you and show them an experience. My son is a diehard racecar fan and that is because of what he was exposed to when I was able to take him to the Indy 500- and that experience is something I will remember. My husband and I lead crazy schedules because our jobs require travel at the spur of the moment, and when that happens we made a system where we just know how to handle it and know what to do. Like, this weekend, he’ll be covering the Super Bowl down in Houston for NBC, and normally I would be there, but since I’m still on maternity leave I won’t be- so it’s funny how our roles are reversed this time around- but we make it work!

And, of course, we have a Super Bowl coming this weekend. What are your predictions?

This is a tough one, because I’m such a Matt Ryan fan, and I think an Atlanta Falcons story would be really amazing. I really think Matt Ryan is someone who hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves, and it’s so great to see his success this year. So, my heart is pulling for Atlanta- just because the Patriots have had so much success, however, I think Tom Brady- his talent, his story- he is such an amazing athlete that I will be telling my kids about for years down the road, and if he can win another one that in it of itself would be another very special story. So, this is a very tough call for me. I’m going to predict that it will be the Patriots that will win this game, but my heart would really love to see the Atlanta Falcons- but I just think it’s almost impossible to game-plan against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady when they are at their best, and if they’ve proven anything this year,  they’ve proven that.

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And clearly, between another child and her career soaring to outrageous success, Czarniak is at her best as well. Now, let’s see if she can call the Super Bowl!

Catch Lindsay Czarniak on SportsCenter on ESPN.

Follow Lindsay on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz

And on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/lindsayczarniak