The renowned sports journalist John McClain, who had spent an impressive 47 years with the Houston Chronicle before retiring in 2022, disclosed his exit from SportsRadio 610 this Wednesday.
This long-time local media figure announced on the X platform that his last day at the station will be this coming Friday.
1) This will take a few tweets, so please bear with me. For the first time in 24 years, I won't be appearing on @SportsRadio610 because I've been laid off. Friday is my last day. I'd been making 6 appearances, writing 4 columns and doing 3 Houtopia Football Podcasts each week.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
McClain, who has long been a familiar voice in the Houston sports scene, had been making six radio appearances each week for SportsRadio 610.
In addition, he was dedicated to writing four columns and recording the interactive Houtopia Football Podcast along with co-host Sean Pendergast.
Expressing his sentiment through a comprehensive social media thread, McClain conveyed his gratitude towards colleagues and coworkers.
He reminisced with affection about his 39 years of service in Houston sports radio.
“‘I’m sad about getting laid off because I love talking about sports on the radio, but I understand the business,” McClain wrote. “It’s happened to so many friends, and now I’m joining their ranks. I was treated like royalty during 47 years at the Chronicle, 15 at KTRH and 24 at SportsRadio 610.”
5) I'm sad about getting laid off because I love talking about sports on the radio, but I understand the business. It's happened to so many friends, and now I'm joining their ranks. I was treated like royalty during 47 years at the Chronicle, 15 at KTRH and 24 at @SportsRadio610
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
McClain emphasized he had always been treated with respect at SportsRadio 610 and held “no bitterness at all,” concluding with the realism of modern-day job dynamics, where “getting laid off is commonplace.”
Throughout his illustrious career, this member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame has received numerous accolades.
The Houston Texans paid tribute to his outstanding contributions to sports journalism by unveiling the John McClain Media Wall of Fame in his honor at a special retirement luncheon in 2022.
Moreover, esteemed sportscaster Mark Berman joined McClain as the second member of this Wall of Fame the following year.
“Through the decades, I worked with so many exceptional people at KTRH and Sports Radio 610 both on the air and behind the scenes,” McClain said. “I want to thank all of them for helping make my appearances so much fun and rewarding.”
Whilst Houston radio waves will miss the familiar voice of John McClain, fans still have much to look forward to.
McClain plans to remain active on social media and continue to make regular media appearances in various markets including San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Nashville, and Las Vegas.
11) I'll still be tweeting and retweeting. I also do weekly shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Waco, San Antonio and Austin. I plan to keep doing doing them as long as they'll have me talking about the Texans and the NFL.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
