Report: John Clayton OUT At ESPN

John Clayton, the ESPN NFL writer known for his self-lacerating “Hey, Mom, I’m done with my segment!” headbanger commercial for “SportsCenter,” reportedly has parted ways with the company as part of its recent massive layoffs, according to The Washington Post.

The departure of “The Professor,” a senior NFL writer who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers’ wing, was reported Wednesday by The Sporting News’ Michael McCarthy. ESPN declined to comment on the matter for The Post and Clayton has not responded to a request for comment. Clayton, who is based in the Seattle area, has a radio show on 710 ESPN KIRO, which is not affiliated with the network and licenses the name.

ESPN will maintain ties with another beloved football personality, however: The network announced Wednesday that “College Gameday” analyst Lee Corso has agreed to a multiyear deal to remain at ESPN, which he joined in 1987.

“Coach Corso has been the mainstay on ‘College Gameday’ since the beginning and we couldn’t imagine the show without him,” Lee Fitting, ESPN senior coordinating producer, said in a statement. “Arguably, nobody has done as much for the popularity of college football over the past 30 years than Coach Corso. His dedication, preparation and unwavering love for College GameDay and its fans is so powerful and we are lucky to call him ours.”

Corso’s headgear predictions — in which he predicts the winner of the day’s biggest game by donning the head of a mascot — have long been a must-see moment on Saturday mornings during college football season.