Video ESPN's John Buccigross Gets Candid About Divorce, Faith & Finding Gratitude OutKick’s own Bobby Burack sits down with longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross for a candid conversation about faith, prayer, gratitude, divorce, and the life lessons that shaped his nearly 30-year career at ESPN.
This October will mark 30 years since John Buccigross made his ESPN debut. Over the past three decades, he's become one of the network's most recognizable voices, anchoring SportsCenter and calling NHL games.
Buccigross joined OutKick this week for a wide-ranging conversation that revealed a side of him many viewers have never seen. He opened up about his divorce, his personal struggles, and how faith helped him through some of the most difficult years of his life.
We also asked him about a popular debate among sports fans: Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of SportsCenter anchors?
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 11: ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross broadcasts the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Denver Pioneers at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pioneers defeated the Badgers 2-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (2026 Getty Images)
"Chris Berman is the first name. He built the place," Buccigross said. "He was the everyday sports fan, the king of Middle America. He just loved sports, and that came through every night."
"Keith Olbermann is the other. His intelligence, his writing and his knowledge of history took the show to another level."
From there, Buccigross struggled to narrow the list to just four.
"Man, this is really hard," Buccigross admitted before working through the remaining candidates.
"Craig Kilborn was different because he brought comedy. When he came on, it felt like a new artist had arrived. I'd see his name in the opening credits and know I was watching. He was genuinely funny and completely unique."
"Scott Van Pelt deserves to be in the conversation, too. He's become an outstanding interviewer, maybe the best in the business. His 'One Big Thing' essays are exceptional, and to produce that level of work every night on a solo show is remarkable."
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SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - MAY 05: John Buccigross looks on during the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery at the NHL Network Studio on May 5, 2026 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) (2026 NHLI)
"Obviously, Stuart Scott was a comet. He came along and did the job in a way nobody else had. He became a true pop culture star. People who didn't even watch ESPN knew who Stuart Scott was."
"Dan Patrick also belongs in the conversation. He had an understated style that never wore on viewers. He made it look effortless, and that's a rare skill."
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 11: ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross broadcasts the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Denver Pioneers at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pioneers defeated the Badgers 2-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (2026 Getty Images)
Eventually, we made Buccigross lock in his final two choices.
"So if you have to narrow it to four, who are the final faces on Mount Rushmore?" I asked.
"Berman and Olbermann are locks," he responded. "Stuart Scott has to be there because of his impact and star power. That fourth spot is the toughest. You can make a case for Dan Patrick, Craig Kilborn or Scott Van Pelt."
"If I'm picking one, I'll go with Scott Van Pelt. His ability to interview people, write essays, read highlights and connect with viewers puts him over the top. He's got the touch."
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So, according to John Buccigross, the SportsCenter Mount Rushmore consists of Chris Berman, Keith Olbermann, Stuart Scott and Scott Van Pelt.
Do you agree? Let us know your SportsCenter Mount Rushmore on X at @burackbobby_. Stay tuned to OutKick for more from our interview with John Buccigross in the coming days.
