I Can't Thank You Enough
Posted December 5, 2010, 9:13 PM ET

I want to steal a line from Carolina Panthers owner, Jerry Richardson.....

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

It's the only thing I can say or write, after it was announced last week that I was leaving WFNZ to pursue my own show and other projects.

I know a lot of people were confused and surprised by the news, but this was an opportunity that I had to accept.

I really enjoyed my 13 years at WFNZ and I will always be grateful to CBS for giving me the chance back in 1997. I never planned on being on the radio or hosting a show, and my stay at the Charlotte sports station was a blast. I leave behind a number of close friends and co-workers that I admire and wish them nothing but success. They'll be friends for life, regardless of the call letters or the next job.

But the time was right to go after new challenges and try to reach goals that I set years ago....and the only way for me to obtain them was to be free with my time and energies.

I'm not saying good-bye to Charlotte....my wife and kids love it in the Queen City. I plan on being here for a long time, unless I'm blown away with an offer from a company or two that I've always had a desire to work for...and don't ask me who they are, because I'm not telling you.

There are only a few places in America that I think are as desirable to live in as the Carolinas.....if an offer from a company in one of those areas becomes a reality, I'd have to give it some thought.

But right now, my primary thought is to chase my dream and be my own boss. It's scary to leave a sure-thing, but there's more to life than showing up for a job knowing that you could still accomplish a lot more.

That's how I'm built...it's my DNA...and it's what I'm about to do.....it's a new chapter, and I'm excited about it. There's no guarantee of success, but I am guaranteed to know that I'm going to do it on my time.

I was blown away by all the emails and calls last week.....I was completely floored. It was an emotional week, but I can honestly tell you your notes were really appreciated by me and my family. I never knew how much the show impacted people....every day, I would have fun with the co-hosts and staff and we'd roll out another day of talking sports.

I talk about sports as being the great release from the pressures of society....I preached it all the time on the air.

I can't tell you how many times I reminded myself that last week, as I was staring at my "To Do List", trying to get the next show off the ground - not to mention the other ventures I have planed for 2011.

In the end, I want to say "thank you" for last week, and the past 13 years at WFNZ.....and before you know it, you'll be calling in and arguing with me about the world of sports.

And I can't wait until the first show in 2011. Thank you.