Why did Michele Tafoya leave NBC Sports?

SPORTS broadcaster Michele Tafoya announced this week she is leaving NBC Sports for good.

Tafoya's last time in the coveted role of NBC Sports broadcaster ended with the Super Bowl LVI as her final encore.

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Who is Michele Tafoya?

Michele Tafoya, 57, started working as the sideline broadcaster for NBC Sports in 2011, and in her first year with the station, she earned the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality. She achieved the same award three more times in 2013, 2018, and 2020.

Her success over the course of her decades-long career included interviewing Brett Favre at the Metrodome, "that was a moment," she told KARE11 News.

She has reported on more than 300 NFL games and five Super Bowls since she started her career in 1993.

Why did Michele Latoya leave NBC Sports?

NBC Sports officially announced Michele Tafoya left the station on February 15 after a decade as a sideline sports broadcaster.

The Super Bowl LVI on February 13 was her final day as a sports broadcaster and she is now leaving to enter politics.

Latoya has said she needs to make a difference and can't sit on the sidelines anymore. She will be moving on as the co-chair for the campaign for Kendall Qualls who will be running as a Republican in the primary for Governor of Minnesota.

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"I got to a point in my life where I wanted to try other things, and there are some things that are really important to me," Tafoya told The Atlantic.

In her announcement about her new position, Tafoya said, "After taking a step back from the sports broadcasting world, I'm honored that my next phase involves supporting Kendall in his run for Governor of Minnesota.

"Kendall has a clear message that resonates with the issues Minnesotans are facing under the current administration.

"He's smart and with his background and work ethic, I'm positive that he's exactly what Minnesota needs in its next governor."

While she said running for office might be something she considers in the future, for now, she wants to support Quall.

"I'll say this — I've been asked multiple times to run for office in Minnesota…. But I just don't know yet," Tafoya told The Atlantic. "... I will say not at the moment. A lot will depend on what transpires here over the next year."

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Will Michele Tafoya miss being a sports reporter?

As Tafoya moves on to the new phase in her life and her career, KARE11 News reported she says it isn't likely she will watch football games again and will be speaking on anything but sports.

She also intends to spend more time with her children who she says she hasn't been able to focus on due to her busy broadcast career.

“I have missed so many games,” Tafoya said. “I never get those back. And that's a little bit painful to say. But I'm here right now and I'm going to look forward and I want to help in some way.

"I've got some plans and I'm still thinking about what exactly that's going to be, but I just cannot, I can't be on the sidelines. I can't be on the sidelines anymore.”