21. NOW IT’S TIME TO SHARE SOME VERY SPECIAL NEWS FOR YOU. THIS WILL BE MY FINAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON. I DECIDED TO RETIRE FROM KCRA 3 AFTER 28 YEARS, AND I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYBOOK SHOW WITH SOME CONSISTENCY. MY FINAL DAY HERE AT KCRA 3 WILL BE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST. UNTIL THEN, I’LL SEE YOU NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT
Longtime KCRA 3 Sports Director Del Rodgers announces retirement
From his time as a football player to a sports journalist, Del Rodgers has always been a leader, setting high standards. And now, after 28 years with KCRA 3, he announced Friday that he is set to retire. “This will be my final high school football season,” Rodgers shared during the High School Playbook show on Friday night. “I wanted to say thank you for watching the High School Playbook show with some consistency.”A native of Salinas, Rodgers pursued a career in football, attending the University of Utah. From there, he was picked up by the Green Bay Packers before returning to his home state as a running back for the San Francisco 49ers. His impressive skills were on display at the most elite game in the NFL, the Super Bowl. After earning a Super Bowl Championship in 1989, he went from the field to the screen, starting his television career at KMST and KSBW in his hometown market, before going north to KIRO in Seattle, then heading east to WXIA in Atlanta. He joined KCRA 3 in September 1997 and made a home.Rodgers was able to provide unique coverage of professional football as a former player himself, but his true passion has been covering the excitement of high school football. “It’s the fans in the stands, the volunteer moms and dads cooking barbecue in the concession stands, the bands, cheerleaders and school spirit. It’s a vital part of our community, and we’re proud to cover it every week,” Rodgers has previously said. The High School Playbook show is a testament to his efforts to highlight all aspects of the Friday Night Lights—from the players to the coaches, officiants, cheerleaders, bands, fans and more. “Del has told me time and time again that it’s not all about the game, it’s about what KCRA 3’s coverage means to those kids and those families,” said Regional Director of News Derek Schnell. Rodgers’ sports coverage is not just limited to football. He’s covered multiple Olympics, even joining Deirdre Fitzpatrick in Sydney, Australia, for the 2000 Olympic Games. He also ran in the Torch Relay for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. He’s also provided decades of coverage of the Sacramento Kings, including when the team almost moved to a different city. His career has not only inspired athletes, but also those of us at KCRA 3. “I want to express my deepest gratitude for Del’s 28 years of service and the countless ways he has lifted others up, particularly the many interns and students he worked with. Many of whom have told me that his encouragement gave them the confidence to pursue dreams they didn’t think were possible, and many of those individuals are thriving in our industry today,” said KCRA 3 President and General Manager Ariel Roblin. “Del, your strength and passion have inspired so many to not only dream big but go big. Your impact will continue through every intern, athlete, and teammate whose life you’ve touched.”He’s a Super Bowl champion, an award-winning sports journalist, but more importantly, a husband, father, and grandfather. He’s looking forward to spending more time in the latter role. Del Rodgers’ final day on KCRA 3 will be Dec. 1.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
From his time as a football player to a sports journalist, Del Rodgers has always been a leader, setting high standards. And now, after 28 years with KCRA 3, he announced Friday that he is set to retire.
“This will be my final high school football season,” Rodgers shared during the High School Playbook show on Friday night. “I wanted to say thank you for watching the High School Playbook show with some consistency.”
A native of Salinas, Rodgers pursued a career in football, attending the University of Utah. From there, he was picked up by the Green Bay Packers before returning to his home state as a running back for the San Francisco 49ers. His impressive skills were on display at the most elite game in the NFL, the Super Bowl.
After earning a Super Bowl Championship in 1989, he went from the field to the screen, starting his television career at KMST and KSBW in his hometown market, before going north to KIRO in Seattle, then heading east to WXIA in Atlanta. He joined KCRA 3 in September 1997 and made a home.
Rodgers was able to provide unique coverage of professional football as a former player himself, but his true passion has been covering the excitement of high school football.
“It’s the fans in the stands, the volunteer moms and dads cooking barbecue in the concession stands, the bands, cheerleaders and school spirit. It’s a vital part of our community, and we’re proud to cover it every week,” Rodgers has previously said.
The High School Playbook show is a testament to his efforts to highlight all aspects of the Friday Night Lights—from the players to the coaches, officiants, cheerleaders, bands, fans and more.
“Del has told me time and time again that it’s not all about the game, it’s about what KCRA 3’s coverage means to those kids and those families,” said Regional Director of News Derek Schnell.
Rodgers’ sports coverage is not just limited to football. He’s covered multiple Olympics, even joining Deirdre Fitzpatrick in Sydney, Australia, for the 2000 Olympic Games. He also ran in the Torch Relay for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
He’s also provided decades of coverage of the Sacramento Kings, including when the team almost moved to a different city.
His career has not only inspired athletes, but also those of us at KCRA 3.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for Del’s 28 years of service and the countless ways he has lifted others up, particularly the many interns and students he worked with. Many of whom have told me that his encouragement gave them the confidence to pursue dreams they didn’t think were possible, and many of those individuals are thriving in our industry today,” said KCRA 3 President and General Manager Ariel Roblin. “Del, your strength and passion have inspired so many to not only dream big but go big. Your impact will continue through every intern, athlete, and teammate whose life you’ve touched.”
He’s a Super Bowl champion, an award-winning sports journalist, but more importantly, a husband, father, and grandfather. He’s looking forward to spending more time in the latter role.
Del Rodgers’ final day on KCRA 3 will be Dec. 1.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel