Broadcasting Football

Scott Hanson signs new 'NFL RedZone' contract, remains fueled by his faith

By Joshua Doering Jul 8, 2021
"NFL RedZone" host Scott Hanson at the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

A familiar face will be on the screen when people tune into “NFL RedZone” this fall. Longtime host Scott Hanson has reportedly signed a new multi-year deal to continue hosting the show.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

Hanson, who has hosted the highly-regarded show since its creation in 2009, confirmed the news on his Twitter account. Produced by NFL Network, “NFL RedZone” jumps from game to game, providing its audience with the most important moments in every matchup.

After playing football at the University of Syracuse, Hanson spent time at Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia, among other stops, before joining NFL Media as a national reporter in 2006.

While Hanson is best known for helping fans stay up-to-date with the latest developments across the NFL on Sundays, the first two things in his Twitter bio are the word “Christian” and a link to the 100 most-read verses on Bible Gateway.

His faith was challenged in 2020. In addition to the new reality everyone was forced to adjust to, his father passed away in June of last year after a short battle with cancer. When Hanson learned his dad was in his final days, he flew from California to Florida so he could say a last goodbye in person.

“I had five days with him at the end of his life,” Hanson said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast last September. “He was in and out of it at that point but when he was awake, he 100 percent knew it was me. We got to share some old stories and talk. We got to pray together. And I will be forever grateful to God for those five days because it helped me begin the grieving process.”

Through the trials of the past 18 months, Hanson has leaned on his firm belief in God’s goodness and sovereignty. No matter how difficult things got, he never lost faith that God would ultimately use it all for His glory.

“God is not stuck,” Hanson said. “He is here right now … But He is not stuck here. He sees this all playing out and because I believe that God is not only all-knowing and all-powerful, and I believe He is all good and just, those are all characteristics of God that come into play in this, that there is something that He’s working through this.”

The Rochester, Michigan, native can now officially begin preparations for his 13th season as the face of “NFL RedZone.” Hanson revealed on the podcast his favorite two weeks of the show are Week 1 and Week 17.

“There are obviously awesome, jaw-dropping moments that happen hour-by-hour in the middle of the season, but when we kick off that first series of games after feeling the drought of our favorite sport, and nine games are all teed up and they kick off — I’m getting jacked up just thinking about it right now,” he said.

“NFL RedZone” will make its return Sunday, Sept. 12 following the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Hanson also appeared on the Sports Spectrum Podcast back in 2017.

RELATED STORIES:
— Avid Chiefs fan Jace Ward passes away after courageous battle with rare cancer
— Cameron Kinley approved to delay Navy service to join NFL: ‘God has an ultimate plan’
— Steelers great Tunch Ilkin retires from broadcasting, relies on God to beat ALS
— Trevor Lawrence discusses new teammate Tim Tebow, says faith is ‘a connecting point’
— New Titans CB Caleb Farley trusting God through adversity: ‘I’d be lost without Him’

Tags: