Jon Gruden takes over for Tony Kornheiser on ESPN’s Monday Night Football

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Pteromerhanophobia can get in the way of being a sports broadcaster, and not only if it shows up on the teleprompter. It’s a fear of flying, which famously forced John Madden into an RV and apparently made Tony Kornheiser a little nervous about his travel schedule for the upcoming football season.

Kornheiser is stepping away from Monday Night Football, stating through ESPN that: ‘My fear of planes is legendary and sadly true. When I looked at the upcoming schedule, it was the perfect storm that would’ve frequently moved me from the bus to the air. I kept looking at the schedule the past month and wanted to find a way to quietly extricate myself.’

He’ll still keep busy with his jobs hosting ESPN’s ‘Pardon the Interruption’ and writing columns for the Washington Post.

Coincidentally, Madden, who become a pop culture icon on MNF, retired last month. ‘It’s time,’ he said after his 30-year career motoring across the country.

Jon Gruden will take Kornheiser’s spot, but don’t expect a permanent arrangement. He was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January and is expected to return to the coaching ranks at some point. Gruden worked for the NFL Network as an analyst during the league’s most recent draft.

While Gruden hasn’t always had kind words for his new employer, Kornheiser had some for his replacement. ‘He is the two things you most want -- smart and funny -- and has the two things I don’t -- good hair and a tan.’

-- Adam Rose