John Clayton Was Asked to Leave the Mothership

Okay, now you've really done it, ESPN.

Ed Werder is one thing, but not John Clayton.

Tragically, the World Wide Leader has decided to part ways with their longtime professional football guru.

Clearly, ESPN wasn't offering tenure to the Professor, otherwise he'd still be providing cogent analysis of the NFL this very moment.

There's obviously no justice to be had in this world of ours, but such is life.

The Internet is still in a state of complete disbelief:

John Clayton gone?? Mike and Mike are breaking up this year! Sell those ESPN stocks, they are diving deep! — David Dollinger (@davedabruiser) May 31, 2017 Why in the world did @espn give John Clayton the axe? Nobody is safe over there. — Chase Parker (@ChaseParker_VT) May 31, 2017

That's a valid query, sir.

What's disturbing is the dude provided quality content, which we'd hope to be a better way of keeping viewers tuning in than the cross-talking babble that passes for programing 'way too often.

How can John Clayton get canned from @espn but Stephen Smith still remain? WTH? Can you judge talent? Chip Kelly? Really?? — Mike S (@tankandspank1) May 31, 2017

Face it, many viewers are making that point as they click to other channels and platforms.

John Clayton fired by ESPN after 23 years. I miss the old ESPN, that actually concentrated on the S more than the E. — Blue Man, No Group (@mimu1984) May 31, 2017

Wow, 23 years.

Where does the time go?

While this is most unfortunate, we will always have this amazing piece of video.

And Clayton isn't leaving empty-handed, either.

By the way I am keeping the ponytail — John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) May 31, 2017

Pure genius.