Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has transformed a modest broadcasting career into a viral talkSPORT sensation over more than 20 years with the station, according to Yahoo Sports.
The 56-year-old former professional athlete endured a playing career hampered by fitness issues and testicular cancer before early retirement forced a pivot into coaching and media, per Yahoo Sports.
Reflecting on his transition away from the pitch, Cundy explained in a Reddit AMA reported by Yahoo Sports, “I’d got to terms with retiring.”
He added in the same online session, “I was still a young man.”
Cundy also noted during the Reddit session, “And I went into the academy and coached.”
Concluding his thoughts on the shift, Cundy stated via Yahoo Sports, “And from that moment on, I’m talking about football every single day of my life now.”
Cundy’s popularity has soared recently due to his on-air chemistry and visual props used to wind up fellow pundit Jamie O’Hara on the livestreamed program, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
The former player recalled his final playing days to Yahoo Sports by noting, “I haven’t put my boots on since that game at Swindon.”
He continued regarding his footwear, “I cleaned them after the game, put them in the boot of my car – and they’ve been there ever since.”
Cundy described the retirement by telling Yahoo Sports, “It’s a sad day.”
He further shared with Yahoo Sports, “I’m now an ex-pro footballer.”
Cundy concluded his reflection on the abrupt end to his career by noting to Yahoo Sports, “When I signed as a 17-year-old for Chelsea, I never imagined it would ever come to this.”