Sports anchor Keith Russell leaving Action News
6ABC sports anchor Keith Russell informed Action News management Friday afternoon that he will be leaving the station July 31.
Sports anchor Keith Russell leaving Action News
Dan Gross
6ABC sports anchor Keith Russell informed Action News management Friday afternoon that he will be leaving the station July 31.
We're told that Russell, a West Oak Lane native and Central High graduate, is heading to Washington, D.C. for a new opportunity, though we're not yet certain whether it's a job in television or not.
6ABC News Director Tom Davis emailed staffers today to announce Russell's departure and said his last day is July 31.
However, we hear Russell, who came to 6ABC in 2005 after working 6 years at ESPN, might not be seen again on Action News.
We were unable to reach Russell for comment.
Comments (75)
left or was terminated? This guy was the worst Sports reporter in Philly. Except maybe for his blond pregnant sidekick what's her name. These 2 are unwatchable and I still can't figure out how WPVI wins the rating wars.— MilesLong1- Surely you jest. Fox has them all beat for bad sports reporting, except for John Anderson. — glenmooretoots
- The worst? Please. I hope your the best at what you do. — DaHeavens
- This guy was brutal! How did he last this long? He was an embarrassment to the profession...Yeah, I'm sure it was his decision.— KurtNimphius
Comment removed.- He's terrible. What a butcher!— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Keith,good luck and goodbye.He is terrible.I hate to say it,but Jamie needs to be moved to weekends only.Channel 6 needs to spend some money and get a real sports reporter who would be the sole sports reporter during the week.There has got be another Joe Pellegrino out there somewhere.— snowman100
- Well said Kurt N. He was an embarrassment to the profession with his stupid wannabee ESPN lines..."It was only fitting the Patriots played in Heinz field today, because they had a lot of CATCHING UP to do". He always has to begin each broadcast with something stupid like that. I think the only reason people watch action news is because they just love the introduction song that never gets out of your head. Anyway, sports journalism is a joke on network news today. The only time they really cover anything is when they jump on the bandwagon when one of the Philly teams are doing well in the playoffs, but then I all they do is send 3 reporters to 3 different bars to ask the other bandwagoners, who are drunk, how they feel their team's chances to win are. And of course, the fan always says we are going to win it all, yada yada yada.— eagleflyerfan
- I agree 100% about his lead off line was always something stupid. I never could understand why the management of the station would but up with that nonsense.
— HappyBob - Seemed like a nice guy, but was clearly over his head on the #1 rated news in Philly.— 42Homestead
- ..."It was only fitting the Patriots played in Heinz field today, because they had a lot of CATCHING UP to do".
That's BRUTALLLLLLLL!!— AvoidSundanceVacations - Comment removed.
- Talk about a "tough room"...Ouch!— TomTheCork
- Won't miss the clown at all.— waltv
- I tune in every night to see if Jamie has exploded yet, I know she is preggers but... stay away from the ice cream already!— Pundit
- I think Jamie is one of the coolest sports anchors in the city. She doesn't get carried away the bs. Plus,give her a break she's pregnant.— gotcha
- ...he always reminded me of Dave Chappell doing an imitation of a white guy. I laughed out loud everytime I saw him and could never take him seriously.— kelprod2
- Last night's 20/20 may have been self promotion for Action News's newest sports anchor. John Bolaris. Can you imagine the ratings that will grab? Also, it will give him his fiftieth fresh start. Basically, a win-win for everyone.
Except the female staff and interns at Channel 6.— syddan26 - Too much schtick.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- I wonder if he actually talks in real life like he does on camera.— ej610
- Never really paid much attention to local sports reports on television b/c of smartphones and such. My wife and I did see him at a restaurant in Cherry Hill a while back and he super approachable and friendly compared to other personalities in local media, no need to name any, this guy was 5 star person who never made the news for the wrong reasons.— nofrigginlife
- Ukee was the man on tv with sports! Shout out to Ukee washington— wawa22
- Comment removed.
- Bring back Phil Andrews!— Barry M
- Congrats, Keith. Good luck to you.— DC
- This would be a good time to bring back Bill Vargus--a charming, intelligent, knowledgeable vet who was inexplicably let go from Fox. Vargus would bring some dignity back to the sports desk. Are you listening PVI????— Steffi1
- Now who do I turn to for over-pronunciation and corny sports jokes?— gilligan
- It doesn't matter. Local news has become irrelevant for sports (I believe sports is down to a two minute allotment per half hour). Too many other outlets to get sports news 24/7. That being said, Keith was terrible.— fightins4ever
- Well put about how sports doesn't need local coverage on local tv. — nofrigginlife
- Finally. Not crazy about the other sportscasters on that network either though.— Shenkman3
- Can he swing by CSN on his way out of town and take Marshall Harris with him?— BLH
- Him and Jamie Apody are two of the worst sports anchors this city has ever seen. I was amazed that a top news station like Action News would keep these two around for so long. They both seem like nice people, but they are absolutely unwatchable. At times, I almost feel embarrassed for them.— TyroneShoes
- Two Words. Adios Philly!!
— joe smith - Using his own words; "That jawn is gone"— mdcandell
- Some of the comments are incredibly mean. Keith was a likable guy. but he wasted too much time with the drama and not enough time being a sports reporter. I wish him well. Jamie, on the other hand is a pleasure to watch. She always as a big smile and knows her sports. My major gripe is that the non-prime time sports n nouncers like Skversky are very good and should be on prime time.— Drumgoole
- I think they could get Don Tollefson back - He's a goooooood guy— marckahn
- Congrats Keith & good luck to you. I enjoyed your humor & spirit..— ClarkU
Thank God. His delivery was brutal.- Comment removed.
- He is more midsize market-worthy...say, Norfolk or Raleigh. That kind of shtick might play well in. Springfield, but not here in Capital City...— frinkie
- He couldn't get any worse if he tried; and it sure looked like he never tried to get any better...just awful, painful to watch....the MUTE button was worn out when this guy came or instant switch to another channel. Yes, take Apody with you Awful Russell. good riddance.— paoloe23
- WPVI has to bring back Don Tollefson to inject some professional sports reporting back into channel 6. Russell was a complete joke and we all know why he got the job after Gary passed away.— BigT
- Good luck Keith..just don't let them replace you with Sarge! That would be bruuuuuttttallll!!— Elderlee
- Thank goodness he is going. If I heard him refer to the Eagles as the birdies again I was gonna shoot my TV— pdz1117
- keith is the best sports anchor in philly. period. he will be missed. now it's time for jeff skversky to step up. jamie apody is a so and so anchor.— koslosky
- oh wow, a repetitive bald African American trying to hard to be hip. He'll fit in over at Comcast SportsNet.— hdtv267
- Westbrook trying to get in to the media. Just a thought something might happen here.— Realistic One
- Another affirmative action failure.— Joe Pyne
- Man, you are a racist scumbag. — Joe Grind
- Sorry to see Keith Russell leave. However action news will not miss a beat with Jamie Apody , one of the best sports anchors anywhere and up and coming Jeff Skversky. Jamie, have a safe and healthy pregnancy and come back soon GO EAGLES— llesdds
- blerd— Roger Podacter
- i loved keith russell. he was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. best of luck, keith!!— fillyfan
- and yet you all watch him, i have no problem with him or jaime apody. the 11 news is only a recap of scores and thats what they give u. joe pelligrino, now there is a hack. u people blew out the best philly sports guy ever and whether u all want to admit it or not that man was howard eskin— shelmus226
- BIG risk if they bring back Tolly. Under age girls alliance will mount protest.— NewMick314
- He is the worst and Jamie needs to clear her throat.— mommabongs
- LOSERS AND HATERS! STOP BEING JEALOUS AND GET A LIFE. THE JEALOUSY IS PATHETIC AND OBVIOUS.— MarieLeslie
- After reading these comments, I'm glad I'm not alone in my feelings for this teleprompter reader. Good riddens!
Good luck Keith and I hope they don't fall asleep to your monotone in DC.— swimfishie - Good Luck Keith!! I've missed your sportscast and your interactions with Jaime Apody. Best Wishes!!
— jlpi - Skversky is a joke. If I have to listen to him every night until Jamie returns from maternity leave, I'll be switching channels.— glenmooretoots
- Guys, let's cut Keith a break. You could see that he put his all into what he did. Keith's replacement should be a middle-aged, gray haired guy with a mustache.— The Baron
- Booooo to most of the comments above! Sounds like some people have been sipping on a little "Hater-Ade"!!!! Keith was a great sports reporter! Over his head??? No, way! His comments were a little cutting at times but overall, a job well done!!! Best of luck to you Keith! Maybe there'll be less "Shallow" folks in DC.— shayshay0977
- Can't say I will miss him. He was awful. So phoney. Love Jamie Apody but with her on maternity leave 6abc is a little bit lean in the sports department.— n geneeto
- Can't say I will miss him. He was awful. So phoney. Love Jamie Apody but with her on maternity leave 6abc is a little bit lean in the sports department.— n geneeto
- i'mglad he is gone. he was the worst sports broadcaster in Philly.— Oriolesfan39
- Wee kept a list of his "Boom Goes the Dynamite" comments when he first arrived here in Philly.
I can't find the list but I can remember a few.
"That Jown... is GONE!"
"He better go back to College... because he just got schooled"
ahh, there's like 10 more but can't think of them.
glad he's gone.
— stirge Fluton - I wish him well, but like others here I never liked his style. I wanted to, with him being a Philly native and all, but he just seemed so fake. I cracked up when he would slip the word jawn in his broadcasts. Who does that? I can take Apody but I can't stand Skversky. I hope Channel 6 can find someone decent to replace Russell.— mimsy
- He was too over the top and the sports was all showbiz with him....glad he's left Channel 6. I would mute the TV whenever he was on and do the same with Jamie Apody. She always makes goofy comments. However, Jeff Skiversky is really good and deserves to be head sports reporter...he has a way about him that reminds me of Gary, who I miss.— elliekitty
- I wish Kieth Russell the best of luck in DC. He was a great , some of those who didn't care for him are those who couldn't stand the truth about the Phillies and the Flyers. I like the Eagles and we all know they got it too. Didnt make me a Kieth Russell hater. Good Luck Kieth , u did a Great job in Philly.— Mmocha
- You people are crazy, Keith was a breathh of fresh air on the local sports scene. Yuo all like wooden, boring sports anchors who do nothing but read scores....BORING. Btw, Joe Pyne, you are a racist piece of s**t.— Joe Grind
- Keith, your an excellent sports commentator and could easily be an anchor anywhere. By working in Philly, you proved you could work anywhere and can adapt to any situation especially one where the sports team are so controversial. I loved, " That jawn is gone!". Hope to hear it again. Sorry to see you gone. Peace.— DaHeavens
- Why wonder? Is it strange to hear an African American male speak properly. The dude is thorough. Deal with it.— DaHeavens
- Clown? That's juvenile. Last I checked, he was a Professional Sports Commentator. Wait to see what's next. In the words of Eskin, "You Nit Wit."— DaHeavens
- I ran into this clown in D.C. at the Kennedy center at the Don Giovanni Opera. I bought my tickets last minute and was in the 3rd to last row. Keith was behind us. Dude, spend a little chee for the date you brought and put her in the orchestra at least. I was actually embarrassed for the guy. By the way, he was the worst sportscaster in the history of philly sports. His stupid rhyming schtick was painful. Had to turn him off after I listened to Jim.
- This dude is the best sportscaster we have ever had in Philly. Period. Cool. Informed. And staight up good at what he is paid to do. Good luck Keith.— Bazelope
- Sports reporting on the local news is dead— bluevalues
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