Overview

Norman Julius “Boomer” Esiason, born on April 17, 1961, is a retired American football quarterback who played for 14 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. He also had stints with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. After a successful college career at the University of Maryland, where he set 17 school records, Esiason was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Esiason’s most successful season came in 1988 when he was named NFL Most Valuable Player and led the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII. He earned four Pro Bowl selections throughout his career. Since retiring from football in 1997, Esiason has become a prominent football analyst for CBS Sports on “The NFL Today” and co-hosts the radio program “Boomer and Gio” on WFAN. He is also known for his charitable work, particularly through the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which he founded in 1993 to fight cystic fibrosis after his son was diagnosed with the disease. The foundation has raised millions of dollars for research and support programs.

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Analyst

What Is Boomer Esiason’s Net Worth?

Boomer Esiason, a celebrated retired American football quarterback and current sports commentator on both network and radio, boasts a net worth of $20 million. This financial standing is a result of his successful 14-season career in the National Football League (NFL), supplemented by his ongoing media endeavors.

Esiason’s NFL Career Earnings and Achievements

Throughout his NFL career, Esiason accumulated $25 million in salary alone, with additional millions earned through various endorsement deals. Esiason played for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals. However, he is best known for his accomplishments with the Bengals. His on-field success is highlighted by his status as the last quarterback to lead the Bengals to a playoff victory. In addition to that, he was selected for the Pro Bowl four times. He was also named First-Team All-Pro. In 1988, Esiason received the NFL MVP award. He also played in the Super Bowl against the 49ers that year, but lost. His achievements cement his place as one of the most statistically accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history.

Broadcasting and Media Career

Esiason transitioned into broadcasting and sports commentary after retiring from professional football. His roles include analyst and host, and he has collaborated with several major sports networks. He served as a host on “The NFL Today” on CBS Sports and “Inside the NFL” on Showtime. Esiason has also contributed to ABC, HBO, and Westwood One. Further enhancing his media presence, Esiason co-hosts “Boomer and Gio,” a sports radio program in New York. He also makes regular appearances on “The Jim Rome Show.”

Early Life and College Football Career

Norman Julius “Boomer” Esiason was born on April 17, 1961, in East Islip, New York. His nickname “Boomer” originated from his frequent kicking in the womb. Esiason faced adversity early in life when his mother passed away at the age of 37, leaving his father to raise him and his two sisters. During his high school years, Esiason excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, Esiason attended the University of Maryland, where he played football under coaches Jerry Claiborne and Bobby Ross. The University of Maryland was the only school to offer him a scholarship. Throughout his college career, Esiason set 17 school records, throwing for 6,169 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also led his team to an ACC title in his final game. Esiason graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A.

Professional Football Career Details

Following his graduation from the University of Maryland, Boomer Esiason was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1984 NFL Draft as the 38th overall pick. In 1984, he started his first game for the Bengals, securing a victory against the Houston Oilers. From that point, Boomer became the starting quarterback. Despite his size, he regularly displayed speed, rushing for thousands of yards and scoring seven touchdowns in his early career. In 1986, he threw five touchdown passes in the final game, setting a team record. Esiason also quickly adapted to Coach Sam Wyche’s “no-huddle” offense strategies. In 1988, Esiason guided the Bengals to their second Super Bowl appearance. He maintained a high level of performance in the following years, breaking and matching many of his own records.

Later NFL Years

In 1993, Esiason was traded to the New York Jets. In 1995, he sustained a severe concussion playing against the Buffalo Bills and participated in a medical study to investigate the effects of the injury. This study marked one of the first times that the effects of concussions were studied in the NFL. Subsequently, Esiason was released by the Jets and signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent in 1996. During that year, he threw for 522 yards in a game against the Washington Redskins, which is one of the most passing yards achieved by a quarterback in an NFL game. In 1997, Esiason considered retirement but was convinced to play one last season with the Bengals. He replaced the starting quarterback midway through the season and finished with a passer rating of 106. The Bengals tried to convince him to stay for two more years. Esiason retired after his final game in December 1997, ending with a 79-yard touchdown pass. The Bengals won the game.

Endorsements and Brand Associations

Boomer Esiason has appeared in over 25 commercials for various brands, which has contributed to his net worth. These endorsements include major brands like Diet Coke, Wheaties, Reebok, Samsung, Hanes, Domino’s, and Doritos.

Entertainment and Broadcasting Ventures

Esiason’s broadcasting career started before his retirement from football. After retiring, he transitioned into a full-time color analyst. He began with ABC’s “Monday Night Football,” but was later fired. He then joined Westwood One before working for CBS and Showtime. Boomer also started the radio show “Boomer and Gio.” He appears regularly on “The Jim Rome Show” as well. These roles in broadcasting and entertainment have helped grow Boomer Esiason’s net worth.

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