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Mark May

Mark Eric May (born November 2, 1959) is an American former professional football offensive lineman who played in the () for 12 seasons and later worked as a analyst. May attended the , where he played offensive tackle from 1977 to 1980, anchoring the line for teams that compiled a 22–2 record over his final two seasons. In 1980, as team captain, he led Pitt to an 11–1 record and a second-place finish in the final , earning unanimous honors and the as the nation's top interior lineman. His No. 73 jersey was retired by Pitt, and he was inducted into the in 2005. Selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round (20th overall) of the , May spent the first nine years of his career with the team as a key member of the "Hogs" offensive line. He started in three Super Bowls, contributing to victories in (1983) and (1988), and earned a selection in 1988. May played his final three seasons with the San Diego Chargers (1991) and Phoenix Cardinals (1992–1993), appearing in 159 games overall before retiring in 1993. After his playing career, May transitioned to broadcasting, joining in 2001 as a studio analyst and commentator, where he appeared on shows including College Football Final until 2015. He was among the on-air personalities laid off by in April 2017 amid a round of staff reductions, and has since continued in broadcasting roles, including play-by-play announcing for games as of 2025.

Early Life and Education

High School Career

Mark Eric May was born on November 2, 1959, in . Growing up in this small city in , May developed an early passion for athletics, excelling in multiple sports during his time at Oneonta High School. At Oneonta High School, May earned eight varsity letters across three sports: , , and . As a standout offensive on the football team, he demonstrated exceptional strength and leadership, contributing to the Yellowjackets' competitive performances in regional play during the mid-1970s. His versatility extended to basketball, where he played as a forward, and track, where he competed in field events, showcasing his athletic prowess before graduating in 1977. In recognition of his high school achievements, May was inducted into the Oneonta High School Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2007 during the annual alumni weekend ceremony. The event, held on a late Saturday morning, honored him alongside other notable alumni, and he received a plaque that is now displayed on the gym wall as part of the school's Wall of Distinction. Following his high school career, May transitioned to at the .

College Career

Mark May, coming off a strong athletic foundation from Oneonta High School in , was heavily recruited and chose the after visiting several programs, including Penn State, where he was swayed by conversations with Pitt alumni like and Hugh Green following the Panthers' 1976 . As part of one of Pitt's most acclaimed recruiting classes under head coach , May joined the team in 1977 and played through 1980 as an offensive tackle. He broke into the as a in 1978, anchoring the offensive line for a program that compiled a 39-8-1 record over his four seasons, including three top-10 national finishes. May's contributions were pivotal in Pitt's offensive success, particularly in protecting the and enabling a powerful running game. During his junior and senior years (1979-1980), he did not allow a single sack, demonstrating exceptional blocking efficiency against top defensive fronts. The Panthers appeared in four major bowl games during his tenure, where May's play helped secure victories in the 1979 against (16-10), the 1977 over Clemson (34-3), and the 1980 over (37-9), along with a 17-30 loss to NC State in the 1978 Tangerine Bowl. In 1980, as a senior on an 11-1 team that finished second in the final , May earned unanimous All-American honors and won the as the nation's outstanding interior lineman. May's legacy at Pitt was cemented with several posthumous honors. His jersey number 73 was retired by the university on October 2, 2001, during a recognizing him as one of the greatest offensive linemen in history, joining the likes of Dorsett and Marino among Pitt's elite. He was inducted into the in 2005, acknowledging his dominant play and impact on the program.

Broadcasting Career

Early Roles

Following his retirement from the NFL in 1993, Mark May transitioned into sports broadcasting the following year. In 1994, he joined WTAE Radio in Pittsburgh as a color commentator for University of Pittsburgh Panthers football games, partnering with play-by-play announcer Bill Hillgrove after the retirement of longtime analyst Johnny Sauer; this role allowed May to leverage his ties as a former All-American offensive lineman for the Panthers from 1977 to 1980. May's career advanced to national television in 1995 when he was hired by as a studio analyst for its Sunday Night Football broadcasts, providing pregame analysis and commentary during the network's coverage of games through the first half of the season. By 1997, he had moved into the broadcast booth as a game analyst for select Sunday Night Football matchups, working alongside announcers like and . This stint on , which aired games from 1990 to 1997, marked May's initial exposure to a broader audience beyond local college radio. After TNT lost its NFL broadcasting rights following the 1997 season, May shifted to in 1998, serving as a game analyst for NFL coverage through 2001. In this role, he provided color commentary for regular-season games, contributing insights drawn from his 13-year NFL career, including two victories with the Washington Redskins. During this pre-ESPN period, May began building a reputation as a candid and outspoken analyst, known for his straightforward critiques of offensive line play and team strategies, which resonated with viewers seeking unfiltered perspectives on professional football.

ESPN Period

Mark May joined ESPN in 2001 as a analyst and studio commentator, building on his prior experience in and as a color analyst for TNT's NFL coverage. He quickly became a fixture on the network's programming, most notably co-analyzing alongside on College Football Final from 2005 to 2014, where their contrasting viewpoints often sparked lively on-air debates. May also made regular guest appearances on College GameDay, , and various telecasts, contributing to pregame, halftime, and postgame analysis for events like the Bahamas Bowl and bowls. Throughout his ESPN tenure, May gained notoriety for his bold predictions and unfiltered opinions, particularly his frequent criticism of Ohio State football, which fueled a longstanding with Buckeye fans and drew significant viewer backlash. For instance, he repeatedly picked against Ohio State in high-profile games, such as forecasting a upset in 2014, amplifying debates on shows like Final. His heated exchanges with Holtz, including segments like "" where they argued over topics such as candidates or conference strength, became a hallmark of ESPN's studio coverage and often trended among fans. In 2015, amid evolving studio formats, ESPN removed May from Final, reassigning him to other roles as part of broader lineup changes that also affected Holtz and host . May's 16-year run at concluded in April 2017 when the network opted not to renew his contract as part of a larger round of layoffs aimed at cost-cutting. In a public statement on Arizona Cardinals radio, May confirmed the decision, expressing gratitude for his time at the network while noting the business realities of the industry. His departure marked the end of an era for 's studio team, where he had been a polarizing yet enduring voice known for challenging conventional narratives.

Recent and Current Work

Following his departure from in 2017, where he spent over a decade as a prominent analyst, Mark May shifted focus to regional and niche opportunities that allowed greater flexibility in his career. In September 2019, May began serving as a analyst for ( 15) in , where he co-hosts the Saturday night program Sports Extra alongside Craig Fouhy, offering recaps and insights on key college and games. The show has featured May's commentary on major matchups, such as the ' season openers and local college action, maintaining a consistent presence through at least 2023. In 2025, May expanded his announcing portfolio by taking on play-by-play duties for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros football team, broadcasting their games on ESPN+ in partnership with color analyst Aaron Saenz and sideline reporter Jaeda Rael. This role covered the team's inaugural season, including high-profile games like their opener against Sul Ross State on August 30, 2025, and subsequent conference matchups. The broadcasts highlighted May's expertise in calling dynamic plays for the emerging program. Beyond on-air work, May has appeared as a guest on podcasts, including an August 2025 episode of The Lou Holtz Show, where he discussed faith, strategies, and cultural restoration alongside host . He has also engaged in speaking engagements, evolving toward motivational talks on leadership and personal resilience, booked through agencies specializing in sports figures. These appearances, often virtual or in-person for corporate and athletic events, draw on his and experience. As of November 2025, May continues to contribute actively to regional college football coverage, including his play-by-play responsibilities for UTRGV amid the ongoing season.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Residences

Mark May is married to Kathy May, and the couple has two daughters, Abra and Bryce. Following his retirement from the in the early , May and his family established a stable home life centered on personal and professional transitions into . The daughters have occasionally been mentioned in public contexts related to family pride, such as May expressing support for Bryce's early career steps in 2010. As of 2001, the family resided in , near coastal areas that aligned with their lifestyle preferences. May has owned properties in , , and , emphasizing a connection to beachfront living during his post-NFL years. By the 2020s, their primary residence shifted to the in , where May continues to live as of 2024. The May family dynamics highlight a close-knit unit, with Kathy and the daughters contributing to a supportive amid May's commitments and occasional initiatives, such as programs that echo family-oriented values.

Philanthropy and Honors

Mark May has been actively involved in efforts supporting development, particularly through events that benefit organizations aiding underprivileged children. In 2019, he co-hosted the Mark May Tournament and with former ESPN colleague to raise funds for the Oneonta YMCA's expansion project in his hometown, providing resources for local programs that include and educational opportunities for at-risk . As of 2025, May continues this tradition by organizing the annual Mark May Celebrity and event for the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club, which supports underprivileged through after-school programs, including athletic activities and skill-building initiatives. These efforts reflect his dedication to giving back to that nurture young talent, often drawing on his own experiences to inspire participation. His family has served as a key motivation for channeling his post-career focus toward charitable causes that empower the next generation. In addition to his philanthropy, May has received several notable honors recognizing his contributions to football and community service. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 by the National Football Foundation, honoring his outstanding collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh. Other recognitions include the retirement of his jersey number 73 by Pitt in 2001 and induction into the Oneonta High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, though these are detailed in his early life sections. Beyond awards, May frequently participates in motivational speaking engagements, sharing insights on leadership and perseverance drawn from his athletic and broadcasting journey to encourage audiences at corporate and community events.

Legal Issues

College-Era Incidents

During his sophomore year at the in early 1979, Mark May participated in a dorm room prank that involved him and several teammates dragging a fellow student into their room and holding him there over a weekend. The incident, described by May himself as a youthful escapade tied to team camaraderie ahead of the season, escalated when authorities were called, leading to his on January 29, 1979. He faced charges of , , criminal mischief, inciting a , and making terroristic threats stemming from the altercation with responding to the disturbance. Following a appearance, May pleaded guilty to the charges of and , while the other counts were dropped. On February 15, 1979, he was fined $150 by a magistrate, with no or further penalties imposed. The episode, viewed in context as a reckless act of college-age amid the pressures of competitive athletics, did not result in from the team or loss of eligibility. May's participation in the 1979 season proceeded without interruption, contributing to the ' 11–1 season and No. 7 ranking in the final , and the incident had no long-term effect on his distinguished career.

NFL-Era Arrests

During his tenure with the Washington Redskins, Mark May faced two arrests for (DUI), both in the Virginia area near The first occurred on December 10, 1985, when the 26-year-old offensive lineman was pulled over by a trooper on just west of Fairfax Drive in . May was charged with DUI after exhibiting erratic driving behavior in his 1985 around 1:15 a.m. He was subsequently convicted of the charge, marking his first drunk-driving offense. The second incident took place on March 19, 1990, when May, then 30 and a selection from the previous season, was arrested by Fairfax County police at approximately 3 a.m. for driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was held briefly at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center before being released on bond. On June 21, 1990, May pleaded guilty in Fairfax County General District Court to the DWI charge. Judge James F. Hurd imposed a sentence of 180 days in jail (with 178 days suspended), a $1,000 fine (with $500 suspended), and a three-year revocation of his , reflecting Virginia's mandatory minimum penalties for a second offense within five years. These arrests occurred amid May's peak professional years with , where he contributed to two victories, though no specific league discipline, such as fines or suspensions from the , was reported in connection with either incident. Despite the legal troubles, May continued playing until his retirement after the 1993 season, demonstrating career longevity in the league.

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