Behind The Scenes

Redskins star LB London Fletcher reflects on ESPN guest analyst stint, and his NFL playing future

London Fletcher/Darren Woodson(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (l) caught up with former rival and NFL analyst Darren Woodson in the ESPN newsroom during a guest analyst appearance in Bristol this week.
(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

London Fletcher has played 15 NFL seasons without missing a game.

Even in the offseason, the Washington Redskins linebacker does not like a lot of down time.

Just 10 days after the Redskins’ season ended in a 24-14 NFC Wildcard Playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Fletcher visited ESPN and appeared on various NFL shows to lend his insights.

“I really just enjoyed learning about everything that goes into producing a show,” he said.

Becoming an NFL television analyst “would be the ideal transition” as a post-playing career option, Fletcher said Thursday. He enjoyed his two-day stint on-air and appeared on SportsCenter, NFL Live and NFL32 to help ESPN bring fans more insights into the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games this weekend.

Fletcher turns 38 in May. By spring, he hopes to decide whether he wants to play a 16th NFL season.

“Every year, the last four years, I’ve looked at things in the offseason and kind of reevaluated everything and I’ve said, ‘I think I will play again this year,” said Fletcher, who is a first alternate to play for the NFC in the Pro Bowl later this month.

“I’m still playing good football. I’m enjoying my team, my teammates. I still feel like I can contribute and help the team win. But at some point you also say that you also want to do other things.”

Fletcher’s visit also provided an opportunity for him to reunite with some familiar faces, including former Washington D.C. sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak and his former Redskins teammate Jason Taylor.

Fletcher likes their work on ESPN and also admires NFL analyst Trent Dilfer, Tim Hasselbeck and NBA pundit Tim Legler.

“Trent Dilfer does a great job of explaining stuff that even I, as a football person, didn’t understand. Hasselbeck does that as well,” Fletcher said.

“Legler — I’m a huge basketball fan — it’s great when you see how he’s able to break that sport down and explain it.”

Whatever his future holds, he’s not ready to put his feet up for a well-deserved rest.

“I’m still working,” he said. “I’m too young to retire and not do anything.”

Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (59) versus the Philadelphia Eagles.(Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)
London Fletcher (59), seen here agains the Philadelphia Eagles, had a banner season with the Redskins.
(Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)
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