Sunday Night Football is one of the pinnacles of the NFL. Every Sunday night, NFL fans across the country gather to watch one of the best matchups of the week.
However, Sunday Night Football’s host, Maria Taylor, hosted her last SNF of the season last week. What happened?
Where Is Maria Taylor?
Maria Taylor was hired by NBC Sports for the Sunday Night Football pre-game show, Football Night in America for the 2021 season. However, following that season, she succeeded Mike Tirico as the lead host.
In Week 16, though, it was announced she was leaving the show for maternity leave. Taylor is expecting a baby boy in January with her husband, John.
It's a boy 💙 @MariaTaylor pic.twitter.com/I2Uc5wz6ZA
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 18, 2023
In her absence, Taylor will be replaced by Ahmed Fareed. Fareed has previously filled in for her and other shows, such as “B1G College Countdown.” His job currently is handling hosting duties for Peacock’s Big Ten men’s basketball coverage as well as “MLB Sunday Leadoff” and four Olympics.
With the knowledge that it was her last show of the season, the rest of the team and her NBC colleagues put together a send-off video. The video overwhelmed Taylor with emotion as her colleagues all shared celebratory messages. Mike Florio even said he hopes her son calls him “Uncle Florio.”
MORE: PFN Life — Off-the-Field Content
The team frequently referred to her as their quarterback, claiming they didn’t know what they would do without her. “You’re literally like the Mahomes of the show,” Chris Simms said. “I don’t know what you’re going to do either. Maria Magic is leaving, OK!,” Taylor said.
“But you guys have a great rest of the season, and I love you all,” Taylor said. She later posted on her Instagram, relishing in the moment. “I’m not crying…you’re crying!,” She said “Thank you everyone for the well wishes for my family and me. We will see you next season.”
Taylor began her career as a reporter and host for IMG College at the University of Georgia, where she spent three years from 2009-2012. After that, she spent the next eight years with ESPN, working with SEC Network, College GameDay, NBA Countdown, and other shows.
She once was a college athlete herself, receiving an athletic scholarship out of high school to the University of Georgia. At Georgia, she played volleyball and basketball from 2005-2009. It was after her athletic career that she immediately began her sportscasting career.
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