He's one of the most iconic voices and faces in all of sports broadcasting. He was the prime-time NBC host of 12 Olympics, and has covered everything from tennis to baseball to boxing. One of his bigger roles has been with NBC's Sunday Night Football, but that won't be the case for this year's Super Bowl.

Despite the fact that NBC is covering this year's Super Bowl, Bob Costas will not be a part of the broadcast, and he's perfectly fine with that. There had been rumors that NBC took him off the coverage because of his comments about football "destroys people's brains." And while that might be the case, Costas says that the split was mutual.

"Not only do I not have a problem with it, I'm actually happy about it.  I have long had ambivalent feelings about football, so at this point, it's better to leave the hosting to those who are more enthusiastic about it."

Costas also wants it known that his feelings on football and its connection to brain trauma is nothing new.

"I've addressed football and its undeniable connection to brain trauma many times. It's the elephant in the stadium at every game whether others choose to acknowledge it or not.  And it's not going away.  So, the idea that I am only now finding my voice on this, or that NBC was taken aback . . . is just wrong."

Costas' role as host will be filled by Dan Patrick and Liam McHugh.

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