Ernie Johnson Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernie Johnson Jr.
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Johnson in 2019
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| Born |
Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr.
August 7, 1956 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
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| Education | University of Georgia (BA) |
| Occupation | On-air personality / sportscaster for TNT Sports |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Cheryl Johnson
(m. 1982) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) |
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Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr. (born August 7, 1956) is a well-known American sportscaster. He works for TNT Sports. Ernie is famous for hosting Inside the NBA on TNT and NBA TV. He also works as a voice and host for Major League Baseball on TBS. Plus, he helps cover the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for TNT Sports and CBS Sports. His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a Major League Baseball pitcher and later a sports announcer.
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Early Life and Education
Ernie Johnson Jr. was born in 1956 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a professional baseball player. After his father stopped playing baseball in 1964, Ernie's family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Ernie was eight years old at the time.
He went to high school at the Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia. He graduated in 1974. After high school, Ernie attended the University of Georgia. He studied journalism there. During his first year, he played first base for the Bulldogs baseball team. He finished college in 1978 with a special honor for his excellent grades.
Start of His Career
While still in college, Ernie got his first job in sports broadcasting. He worked as a news and sports director for a radio station called WAGQ-FM in Athens, Georgia.
In 1979, Ernie became a news anchor at WMAZ-TV in Macon, Georgia. He then moved to WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1981. In 1982, he joined WSB-TV in Atlanta as a news reporter. By 1983, he became the station's weekend sports anchor. He stayed there until 1989, when he joined Turner Sports.
From 1993 to 1996, Ernie worked with his father. They called Atlanta Braves baseball games together for SportSouth.
Working at TNT Sports
Ernie Johnson Jr. is often called "E.J." He is a key part of TNT's sports coverage.
NBA on TNT
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Ernie is the main host for TNT's NBA shows. This includes pregame and halftime shows. He also hosts the famous postgame show, Inside the NBA. He has been hosting this show since 1990.
At the end of each show, Ernie shares "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night." This part of the show is very popular. Ernie works with former NBA stars like Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal. Sometimes, other former players like Chris Webber or Reggie Miller join them.
Ernie also hosts Tuesday Fan Night on NBA TV. He also leads Open Court, a show where basketball experts discuss different topics. In 2022, Ernie signed a new long-term contract to keep hosting Inside the NBA.
Other Sports Assignments
Besides basketball, Ernie also announces PGA Tour golf for TNT. He used to host college football shows for TBS. In 2002, Ernie won his first Sports Emmy for being an outstanding studio host. He shared the award with Bob Costas. Ernie won the award again in 2006.
From 2007 to 2009, Ernie hosted TBS's Major League Baseball coverage with Cal Ripken Jr.. In 2010, he started announcing games directly. He was the main announcer for TBS's playoff baseball games. He also called many Atlanta Braves games. Since 2020, he has been a studio host for baseball again, while still doing play-by-play.
Ernie has also worked on many other major sports events. These include The Championships, Wimbledon tennis, National Football League games, and the Goodwill Games. He also covered the 1992 Winter Olympics and 1994 Winter Olympics. He was the studio host for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Ernie even announced weightlifting for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He now hosts the NCAA basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports.
In 2015, Ernie won his third Sports Emmy for Best Studio Host. He famously gave his award to the daughters of Stuart Scott, another sportscaster who had recently passed away. Ernie is also a sportscaster in the NBA 2K video game series.
Career Highlights
- 1977–1989: Worked at various local news stations as a sports and news reporter.
- 1989–present: Lead studio host for Inside the NBA.
- 1990: Lead studio host for the 1990 FIFA World Cup on TNT.
- 1992 & 1994: Announced speed skating for the Winter Olympics.
- 1993–1996: Play-by-play announcer for Atlanta Braves on SportsSouth.
- 2002–2020: Lead play-by-play announcer for Golf on TNT.
- 2002–2006: Lead studio host for College Football on TBS.
- 2006–present: Studio host and play-by-play announcer for MLB on TBS.
- 2011–present: Lead studio host for the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Personal Life
Ernie Johnson lives in Braselton, Georgia, with his wife, Cheryl. Cheryl is a professional counselor. They have two biological children and four children they adopted.
Ernie was raised Catholic, but now identifies as Protestant. He often works with groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Samaritan's Feet. Ernie is a big fan of the Atlanta Braves. Even though he was born in Milwaukee, he considers Atlanta his hometown.
In April 2017, Ernie released his book, Unscripted: The Unpredictable Moments That Make Life Extraordinary.
Health Challenges
In 2003, Ernie was diagnosed with a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He continued working while getting treatment. He returned to Inside the NBA in October 2006. In 2018, Ernie announced he would miss the MLB postseason due to blood clots in his legs. This made it hard for him to travel by plane.
Awards and Honors
- Six-time Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host.
- 2021 National Sports Media Association National Sportscaster of the Year (shared with Scott Van Pelt).
- 2019 Inductee into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers.
- 2023 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee.
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