Annie Apple Named ESPN "Sunday NFL Countdown" Contributor

Mother of New York Giants' 2016 First Round Pick to Provide NFL Features This Fall

Annie Apple, the mother of New York Giants 2016 first round pick Eli Apple, is joining ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown this fall as a contributor. Beginning in September, she will offer player profiles and other stories for ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown pregame show.

Apple, who writes her own blog Survivin America: Making It Through with Humor and Hope, burst on the national scene during the recent NFL Draft when she took to social media to offer her candid opinions about the draft, her son and anything else on her mind. She notably discussed not allowing Eli to wear a Rolex and diamonds the night he was drafted. She also questioned why no dessert was served at a reception for draft prospects in Chicago - only to have NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell personally send brownies to her home a few days later.

After the draft, Apple penned a first-person guest column for Sports Illustrated, highlighting Eli's path to the NFL after he began his college career as a redshirt freshman at Ohio State. She also visited ESPN's campus where she appeared in-studio on His & Hers with Jemele Hill and Michael Smith, among other shows.

"Annie caught our attention during the NFL Draft and when we met with her in-person at ESPN we were blown away by her relatability, her sense of humor and just how unafraid she is to speak her mind," said Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer for ESPN's NFL studio shows. "Annie brings a very unique perspective as the mother of a current NFL player and as a fan, and we look forward to exploring a variety of different story ideas with her on Sunday NFL Countdown."

Apple added: "I am beyond excited to be joining the ESPN family and to have the platform to rep sports moms' perspectives, energy, contributions and fantastic awkwardness to viewers around the world. Moms are the heart and backbone of all sports. We are our kids' first coaches, trainers, nutritionists and cheerleaders."