Jac Collinsworth echoing his father's path into broadcasting Published: Dec 20, 2017 at 06:02 AM Ed Sherman NFL.com Contributing Writer Cris Collinsworth and his son, Jac, sound so much alike, sometimes it gets confusing. Once after Jac did the introductions for a high school game over the stadium's loudspeaker, people came up to Cris saying, "That was so nice of you. Thanks so much for doing that." Perhaps the only people who don't hear the similarity in their voices are Cris and Jac. "Everybody says that to me, but I can't hear it," Cris said. "You really can't hear yourself talk. That's what makes it bizarre." Jac added, "I would say I never thought we sound alike to the degree everyone else does." The tall and lanky Jac, who also looks like a younger version of his father, is following in Cris' footsteps. Not as a NFL player, but as a broadcaster. Jac A.J. Epenesa Jersey is in his first year as a feature reporter for ESPN's . Only 22, Collinsworth sees his role as coming up with non-traditional pregame show stories that are geared toward younger audiences. Collinsworth's features have included tagging along with Detroit receiver on his audition for American Idol. He did a segment on doing prank calls on some of his Jacksonville teammates. Recently, Collinsworth did a piece with . The quarterback dre sed up in disguise as a salesperson in the ' merchandise shop. "Matt really has a great sense of humor that never really comes through," Collinsworth said. "We wanted to create something that was unique and different." Collinsworth credits Countdown's producers for giving him plenty of latitude. "They want these stories to be young, feel young," Collinsworth said. "They want me to pitch them ideas. It's not about them telling me where to go. It's been, 'You find an athlete that's fun and entertaining, come up with a concept, and go do it.'" At one point, Collinsworth thought he might be on the other side as the athlete. However, back injuries derailed a promising high school football career. Collinsworth, though, already was thinking of broadcasting after taking a filmmaking cla s as a freshman in high school. He recalled being part of a story about a school cro sing guard who everyone thought was angry and mean. An interview showed the students a different side of the woman. "I Taiwan Jones Jersey 'll never forget the silence when we showed the film at an a sembly," Collinsworth said. "I thought, 'Wow, this is the power of media.' That was the moment where I fell into love with this." Cris says he saw the broadcast potential in his son at an early age. "He did these announcements during high school where he would joke on people, bust their chops," Cris said. "Nobody left school until they heard Jac's announcements." Jac continued to focus on broadcasting while attending Notre Dame. He eventually produced a popular ND Live program, featuring interviews with athletes and more. Collinsworth's training also included asking his father numerous questions about the industry. His biggest le son, though, came from just observing how Cris prepared for his broadcasts. "Undeniably, he is a talented broadcaster, but I have never seen anybody work and study harder," Jac said. "That's what I've always tried to emulate most." People in the industry took notice. Collinsworth quickly zoomed straight to the top with the offer from ESPN at the young age of 22. "The quality of work that Jac has produced in such a short time is impre sive. To find someone right out of college with his skillset and media experience is rare," said Countdown producer Seth Markman. "I'm just happy to be working anywhere," Collinsworth said. "ESPN is more than I expected." Collinsworth knows that it certainly didn't hurt having Ruben Brown Jersey his father's famous last name as far as opening some doors. He also realizes there will be people who think he got such a prestigious job because he is Cris' son. So be it, he says. "There's always going to be chitter-chatter," Collinsworth said. "At the end of the day, if the work stinks, I'm going to be gone. If it is good, I'll be around. The only thing I care about is making the product good." In addition to his ESPN duties, Collinsworth also hosts a Thursday night NFL pregame show with Pro Football Focus on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Cris joins the show when his schedule allows. They always are special broadcasts for father and son, even though with the similarity of their voices on radio, it could be a challenge for listeners as to who is talking. "When he's in the studio, he usually ends up telling stories," Jac said. "We have so much fun together. It's a great time." === Two lives: The season finale for will feature Lynn Swann Justin Zimmer Jersey and John Stallworth (NFL Network, Friday, 9 p.m. ET). It will examine how Pittsburgh hit the jackpot by selecting both future receivers in the 1974 draft. Don's son: A DVR alert for the upcoming (NFL Network, Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET). The film is produced and narrated by Don Meredith's son, Michael, who is a filmmaker. The younger Meredith adds a personal touch about the quarterback on the 50th anniversary of the fabled Green Bay-Dallas game in 15-below conditions in 1967. Week 16 announcer lineup Saturday NFL Network 4:30 p.m. ET Indianapolis at Baltimore: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green NBC 8:30 p. Duke Johnson Jersey m. ET Minnesota at Green Bay: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth Sunday CBS 1 p.m. ET Buffalo at New England: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo at New York Jets: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts Miami at Kansas City: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon Cleveland at Chicago: Tom McCarthy, Steve Beuerlein Denver at Washington: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta CBS 4 p.m. ET Jacksonville at San Francisco: Andrew Catalon, James Lofton FOX 1 p.m ET Atlanta at New Orleans: Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis Tampa Bay at Carolina: Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber at Tenne see: Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston Detroit at Cincinnati: Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman FOX 4:25 p.m. ET Seattle at Dallas; Joe Buck, Troy Aikman at Arizona: Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth Monday NBC, NFL Network, Amazon Prime 8:30 p.m. ET Pittsburgh at Houston: Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner ESPN 8:30 p.m. ET Oakland at Philadelphia: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. 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