Fired ESPN Employee Makes Kirk Herbstreit Admission

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 12:03 PM ET

ESPN has seen plenty of on-air talent come and go, and Samantha Ponder was among them. She was let go in August 2024, along with Robert Griffin III, as part of the network’s cost-cutting efforts.

While at ESPN, Ponder worked as a reporter for "College GameDay" and served as a sideline reporter for Thursday night college football games.

The 39-year-old spent a lot of time working with some of ESPN’s top college football personalities, including Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack, who was let go by the network in June 2023.

Meanwhile, on Monday, she answered a fan question on her Instagram story, reading, "Do you ever talk to the college gameday guys anymore?" In the process of her answer, she admitted that she was texting with Kirk Herbstreit the day before she was let go.

"David Pollack is stuck with me as the big brother I never (jk) wanted, and I was texting with Kirk Herbstreit the day before I got fired," Ponder answered. " Rece Davis is my forever favorite. I'll never forget how all 3 of them loved Jesus and treated people. I will be a college gameday fan as long as they continue to make it about the people. It's such a special show."

Herbstreit acknowledged what Ponder wrote with a repost of her message on his own Instagram story.

Ponder, who has three children and is married to former Florida State Seminoles and retired NFL quarterback Christian Ponder, has yet to land a new job since her firing. It’s unclear whether she’s actively been looking for one while raising her family.

Her husband focuses on his business called The Post. It focuses on helping former athletes transition from their playing careers to new careers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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