Hawkeye Legend Ed Podolak Leaving the Radio Booth After 42 Years

There isn't anything that Ed Podolak hasn't seen on or off the football field. That is what made him great as part of the Iowa Hawkeye football radio broadcast team for decades. In a press release on Monday, Podolak announced that he would no longer be in the radio booth beside play-by-play man Gary Dolphin.

The press release states that Podolak plans on moving into a new role where he'll provide analysis during the football pregame show and on podcasts, according to KCRG. Podolak stated that he felt it was a good time to "step back from my role as color commentator." He went on to add that he has loved his time in Iowa City, stating "There is no greater honor than to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye Football team."

Before his time in the radio booth, Podolak starred for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the late 1960s. KCRG reports that he ranks in the top 20 for rushing yards, passing yards, and total offense in school history. He then went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL helping the team win a Super Bowl in 1970.

Podolak transitioned from football to the broadcast booth in 1982 providing commentary on WHO Radio and then teaming up with Gary Dolphin at Learfield Sports in 1997, according to HawkeyeSports.com.

A search for Podolak's replacement will begin this spring.