ESPN fans are ‘really sad’ as longtime SportsCenter host says goodbye after 23 years, saying ‘love has come a long way’

Longtime SportsCenter host Neil Everett has said goodbye to the legendary show as he leaves ESPN after 23 years with the network.

And fans said they were “really sad” that the channel left after its final goodbye.

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Everett addressed viewers during his final appearance at the SportsCenter on Friday night.

“Well, that’s the end for me,” he said.

“I’m not active on social media but Stan told me that some of you guys left positive tweets and I appreciate that because that’s what you do.”

“They are doing this to entertain you all out there and to entertain themselves.”

However, Everett did mention a tweet he saw in which a viewer claimed they didn’t know who the host was despite having watched SportsCenter for over 20 years.

The remark elicited a laugh from co-host Stan Verrett, who then gifted the host with a painting made by a fan.

It showed Everett at his desk next to another man with the SportsCenter logo in the background.

Everett concluded his farewell by saying, “Love is a long road, I see you on the way.”

And fans sent lots of love to the channel on Twitter.

“Neil Everett is a special talent,” wrote one.

“Frankly wild ESPN even did that for him he deserved it all and more but we live in a cold cold world,” added another.

“This makes me really sad,” tweeted a third.

“My formative years falling asleep hearing SC hear Neil chant ‘BARTENDER!’ shouted. So I turned around and checked the highlighting. The guy was a pro.

Meanwhile, one wrote: “Man my childhood was really great because of these boys and Stuart. See you Neil.”

Everett is believed to be leaving ESPN in part due to the network’s recent round of layoffs.

He first joined the company in 2000 and was a moderator for ESPNews for nine years.

In 2007, Everett relocated to California to work on SportsCenter’s late-night edition of Los Angeles.