Jesse Palmer Talks Football, TV, and Ottawa

Former New York Giant, and Hollywood’s first professional athlete and Canadian to ever appear on The Bachelor, Jesse Palmer discusses his Ottawa roots, NFL career, and how he transitioned to a successful career in broadcasting.

You were born in Toronto and raised in Nepean. What was your childhood like growing up in Ottawa?

Ottawa was the perfect place to grow up. It’s such a beautiful city, multicultural, with warm people. I have a lot of happy memories growing up in PineGlen (neighborhood), playing sports with my friends at the park, and of course Rough Riders games with my family at Landsdowne Park. Rockwell’s in the Merivale Mall was our hangout in high school.

Your dad played for the Ottawa Rough Riders. How instrumental was your dad in shaping your journey in football?

He played a very instrumental role in my football journey. He helped foster my love and passion for the game. He would take me to CFL games, he coached my youth football teams, and was always able and willing to throw the football outside on our front lawn, and talk about life, the game, and my future.

You were the first Canadian born and raised Quarterback to ever start an NFL game. What did it feel like heading out to start your first game? Did you get to enjoy the moment at all?

One of the best moments of my life. I experienced a wide variety of emotions that night. Excitement, anxiety, pride and gratefulness. I thought a lot about my journey, the hard work, and all of those that helped me along the way, and who I got to share my experiences with. My best friends from Ottawa flew to New Orleans to watch the game, and they hung a Canadian flag from their seats at the top of the SuperDome. I remember jogging onto the field at the start of the game, seeing them, and smiling because I knew I wasn’t alone.

Neville Gallimore, who will also be featured in this issue, became just the third player from Ottawa to be drafted into the NFL, joining you and Christo Bilukidi. What do you think of Neville as a player, and what impact he could have with the Cowboys? Does it give you a sense of pride to see another hometown kid get drafted?

I’m so happy for Neville. I’ve been a big fan of his, watching him play every weekend from our ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT over the past four years. I think Neville can have an immediate impact for the Cowboys. He possesses rare athletic gifts that athletes his size aren’t often blessed with. If he continues to work, I think the sky’s the limit for Neville.

Looking back to when you first began your transition into broadcasting from football, what was one of the most surprising lessons that you learned?

After the 2006 CFL season, my first TV job was doing color commentary for the NFL on FOX, which meant of course that I was broadcasting my friends’ games throughout the league. I remember at first feeling awkward having to at times be critical of their performance, but I learned that in order to fully serve the viewer at home, I was expected to do my homework and offer my own professional opinion. It is probably the hardest part about being a broadcaster, but I believe the best generally don’t get caught up in the emotion, and don’t make things personal. I’ve always tried to remain impartial and unbiased.

You’re a huge Game of Thrones fan. What’s one thing you didn’t like about how the series ended?

My biggest criticism would be that they tried to fit too much storyline into too few episodes, and everything felt rushed! There were some major events that felt glossed over. The Long Night episode was about as epic as it gets, though.

You’re currently the host of DailyMail TV. How has this role helped to shape your development as a TV personality? What’s it like working with this team?

I feel very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to host Daily Mail TV, as it’s really enabled me to stretch and challenge myself in the Entertainment/ News industry. I love “quarterbacking” the show, it’s fast-paced; we cover a wide variety of topics with correspondents all over the globe. I’m very lucky to work with such a talented and hard working team.

In 2019, DailyMail TV took home a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment News Program. How much did this win mean to you and your team?

To win an Emmy in only our second year is a testament to all the hard work and commitment my colleagues show on a day to day basis. Our show is very challenging to produce and pull off, but with our talented staff and some amazing resources, we’re able to bring our viewers the stories they want in a timely manner.

You live in NYC now. What’s a typical (non-COVID19) day like for you in the Big Apple?

Wake up and grab an espresso and read Daily Mail articles for our rundown that day. Head to the studio around 9 am, tape the show, finish around 2 then head to the gym. I love eating out as NYC has some of the best restaurants in the world. During the football season I’m watching lots of tape and traveling back and forth to Bristol, CT for ESPN college football coverage.

We’ve all had a lot of downtime amid coronavirus lockdowns...what’s a skill you’d like to learn or have been trying to learn?

I’ve started meditating which has been very helpful. I’m usually always on the move, and living in the “city that never sleeps” it’s important that I’m able to slow down from time to time.

Out of all the roles you’ve had in both your sports and television careers, is there one accomplishment or position that you felt you went out of your comfort zone for, and were able to surprise yourself with what you could achieve?

When I was asked to host Recipe to Riches on Food Network Canada, I felt a little bit at first like a fish out of water because I’m not a chef and I haven’t been formally trained in any culinary arts. Was I qualified to host this show??? I do however love food, and I love being around passionate people, so I found myself getting more and more comfortable, just being myself, and finding my niche throughout the season. I owe that show a lot because it has led to other roles hosting shows on the Food Network in both Canada and the US, which obviously is a much different TV genre than I was accustomed to at the time.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received when you got into broadcasting?

Say yes to things. Don’t immediately dismiss opportunities because you feel under qualified or because they don’t feel like the perfect match. When you try things out, you learn a lot about yourself and your own capabilities, and oftentimes get rewarded by opening up windows/opportunities for yourself down the road.

Social media. Love it or hate it?

Like it. Our ability to access information, interact and socialize with people has grown exponentially because of it, but I don’t want to live on it, or lose too much of my own privacy because of it.

Do you ever return to Ottawa? Any favourite spots you like to go to when you’re back in the city?

I’m usually home twice a year. I love feeling nostalgic, so I usually go for a walk around the Parliament buildings and the Market. Afterwards, I love spending time at my best friend’s house; he and his family live on the canal. Our friends come over, we eat and laugh for hours.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEVER PLAY IN THE NFL BECAUSE I GREW UP IN OTTAWA, WHERE FOOTBALL WASN’T TAKEN AS SERIOUSLY AS IN THE US. THEY UNDERESTIMATED MY HUNGER, DRIVE AND WORK ETHIC.

Last fall, you got engaged to your fiance Emely Fardo. Where did you meet and was it love at first sight?

I met Emely at Rumble Boxing here in NYC. It was love at first sight for me, although I’m pretty sure she didn’t even notice me, so I definitely had a lot of work to do!

Who was the first person you called when you got engaged? Why was it important for you to call them first?

I called my parents first, they brought me into this world, so it felt like the right thing to do!

We can only imagine how many bad “You’re still a Bachelor” jokes you’ve had to hear over the years... Do you have fond memories of that show and do you still watch it?

Great memories of the show, easily one of the wildest and fun experiences of my life. I don’t watch the show too often today...but I did binge watch Netflix’s Love Is Blind.

What advice would you give to a kid from Ottawa reading this that wants to follow in your footsteps – whether it’s as an athlete, a broadcaster – or maybe even someone reading this who is an athlete but fears what to do when their career ends?

Anything in life is possible, regardless of where you are from. A lot of people told me that I would never play in the NFL because I grew up in Ottawa, where football wasn’t taken as seriously as in the US. They underestimated my hunger, drive and work ethic. If you want something bad enough and are willing to sacrifice for it, then you can achieve anything you set your mind to.