Former Arizona State safety Jordan Simone is joining the Sun Devil Radio Network as a pregame host and sideline reporter for ASU football broadcasts.
“I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to start out than to do radio with my alma mater,’’ Simone told Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic. “It’s going to be new and it will present some challenges but I look forward to taking them head on.”
Simone was hopeful of an NFL career, but tore his ACL in 2015 during a game against Washington. At the time, the ASU safety was leading the nation in solo tackles per game, but went undrafted the next spring as he recovered from the knee injury. Simone was healthy enough to make an attempt at joining a pro-team in 2017 and signed on with the Seahawks after impressing at rookie minicamp. During Seattle’s first preseason game, Simone entered the game on special teams and re-tore his ACL during his second kickoff.
Initially Simone was understandably disappointed, but he looks forward to his next opportunity. “I feel really good about where I am,” Simone said. “I feel like, ‘You know what, I’ve played in the NFL. I’ve done what 99 percent of football players haven’t done.’ It sucks that I got hurt, but it is what it is, and I’m ready to transition, if that is the case.”
The field reporter position for ASU football was previously held by Derek Hagan. Hagan, a former ASU wide-receiver who had a nine-year NFL career, joined the team’s new head coach, Herm Edwards as an offensive assistant. Hagan and Simone recently connected at a charity event when Hagan suggested Simone consider the radio gig. Simone was interested and soon after landed the position.
Simone will join Jeff Van Raaphorst, a former ASU quarterback, and play by play announcer Tim Healy on the call.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.