Ernie Johnson gets emotional as Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley surprise him at Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame ceremony
- Johnson and NFL broadcaster Cris Collinsworth headline Class of 2023
- Johnson has received six awards for his work as studio host of Inside the NBA.
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news.
Ernie Johnson fought back tears as his Inside the NBA colleagues Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley surprised him during his induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Host James Brown looked confused when it came time to introduce Johnson, but it was the perfect setup for the surprise. When Brown awkwardly asked for a statue of Johnson, three NBA analysts who share a table with Johnson every night took the stage to present him with the award.
Johnson was rendered speechless by the presence of his colleagues, who tried to trick Johnson into thinking they had dropped the award on the stage before presenting the token for his induction.
“We wanted to give it to Ernie personally,” O’Neill said. “Congratulations, brother.”
“We love you,” Smith added. “You definitely deserve it.” You guys are in the midst of greatness right here with this man.”
Ernie Johnson was emotional as his colleagues at Inside the NBA presented him with the award.
Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley surprised Johnson at Tuesday’s ceremony.
The ceremony took place simultaneously with the Inside the NBA broadcast, which was a surprise.
The Class of 2023 featured nine inductees, headlined by Johnson and NFL broadcaster Cris Collinsworth.
Johnson’s distinguished career spans more than four decades, most of which he spent at TNT as an announcer and studio host.
Johnson joined Inside the NBA in 1990 and played a key role in the program’s success. As host, Johnson demonstrates his ability to carry on a conversation with three NBA Hall of Famers with a variety of opinions and personalities.
Johnson always plays it cool, even when discussions get heated and out of control.
As of 2022, the program has won 17 Sports Emmy Awards and has been named Best Daily Show and Best Weekly Show multiple times. Johnson received six awards for his work as a studio host, and Barkley as a studio analyst.
Inside the NBA was also inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 2016.