Fox Sports family bids tearful farewell to Jimmy Johnson after his surprise retirement at age 81

Jimmy Johnson has officially retired from the Fox Sports family on March 9, 2025, and it shocked all of us. The Hall of Fame football coach that led the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl excellence in the early 1990s stood up from the desk at Fox NFL Sunday after well over 30 years on the air.

It hit home on a personal level, especially for Michael Strahan. In a matter of a few sentences, Jimmy Johnson left teammates, fans, and TV personalities asking, "How will we watch weekend football without Jimmy Johnson?" He was such a staple, and how could we even be on the set without his great opinions, loud laughter, and Texan charm?

Michael Strahan and the Fox crew show deep emotion after Jimmy Johnson’s exit

On March 3, 2025, just after Jimmy Johnson revealed his decision, Michael Strahan, his longtime co-host wrote on social media: “Congratulations on your retirement … You’re truly one of a kind and thanks for being you and gifting me with one of the best friendships anyone could ever ask for.”

This post came with a photo of the pair hugging, and it showed how much their friendship meant behind the scenes. Moments later, Erin Andrews shared a photo of the farewell party with Johnson, Strahan, and Charissa Thompson. Her caption said simply, “Love our family.” These messages made clear that Jimmy Johnson’s bond with the team went far beyond the studio, built over countless Sundays, road trips, and off-camera laughs.

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Fox celebrates Jimmy Johnson with music, laughter and real tears

Fox turned Johnson’s send-off into something unforgettable. Jay Glazer captured a heartfelt moment during the celebration when Boyz II Men performed “End of the Road.”

Jimmy Johnson joined in singing, visibly moved. Glazer posted: “What a way to have one final hurrah with our brother … The bonds we have… I thank GOD every day for the journey we’ve been on together at @nflonfox.” At 81, Johnson admitted through tears, “Going to miss my guys.”That simple phrase demonstrated how much those moments, individuals and relationships mattered to him, perhaps more than either of his two Super Bowl titles. His move was the culmination of not only a chapter in Fox Sports history, but it took away something that no amount of on-air talent could ever fill.