FOX 26 Houston sports director Mark Berman concluded his final sportscast. In honor of the moment, the sports world united to give him an unforgettable farewell two days ago. Affectionately called ‘Scoop’ and with nearly four decades at the station, Berman officially retired on Monday. To mark this significant moment, countless sports icons stepped forward to express their gratitude for his remarkable career.

Amidst the outpouring of appreciation, a particularly touching tribute emerged from none other than Simone Biles and her parents. They acknowledged the support Berman has shown their daughter over the past 13 years. Like back in 2019, Mark Berman of Fox 26 was the first to engage in an exclusive conversation with the Olympic medalist. This encounter took place shortly after she reached Bush Intercontinental Airport. It was just after her sixth US Nationals All-Around championship.

Heartfelt tributes from Simone Biles, her parents

Berman shared the video tribute on his Twitter account and expressed his gratitude to Simone Biles, Nellie Biles, and Ron Biles. Simone’s father reminisced about their 13-year acquaintance and praised Berman, as he was one of the first newspeople to recognize Simone’s potential back in 2013. The millionaire Olympian herself expressed her heartfelt thanks to Berman, saying, “Hi Mark, thank you so much for doing all the news coverage. We appreciate you and your work. Happy retirement, we are so happy and proud of you.“?

Simone’s mother, playfully questioned who would be there for Simone at the airport at 2 am. She also expressed their fondness for Berman and wished him a joyous retirement. Even the Houston Rockets team paid tribute to Berman, releasing a video featuring NBA legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.

A lasting legacy celebrated by sports icons

During the tribute video, billionaire Fertitta expressed his admiration for Mark Berman, stating, “The dedication and professionalism you exemplified are unmatched. Everybody who knows sports in Houston knows that.” Renowned sports commentator Jim Nantz, a longtime friend of Berman, acknowledged his exceptional work in Houston, saying, “What you’ve done in the market there is extraordinary. No one has taken a market and broken more stories and been more on top of the action than you have.“??

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Former NFL star J.J. Watt expressed his gratitude for their friendship, emphasizing Berman’s iconic status and deserving sendoff into retirement. According to Chron, even Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner made a surprise appearance at the FOX 26 studio. He honored Berman with a proclamation declaring June 12, 2023, as “Mark Berman Day.” The outpouring of respect and appreciation from prominent figures in the sports industry underscores Berman’s lasting impact.

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