Todd McShay just announced he's temporarily stepping away from his role at ESPN ... just 3 days after viewers expressed concern over his appearance at the Alabama-Miami game.
McShay was reporting from the sideline during the big college football matchup ... when fans -- including ex-NFL player Darius Butler -- noticed things looked off with the reporter.
— Viral Sports (@NotScTop10plays) September 4, 2021
"I don't know Todd McShay personally," Butler said, "but I hope he's ok."
It's unclear if McShay's announcement Tuesday is in any way related to the concerns over his television appearance ... the longtime ESPN reporter said only, "I am going to take some time away to focus on my health and my family."
I don’t know Todd McShay personally but I hope he’s ok.
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 4, 2021
"Thank you ESPN for being so supportive and for all the well wishes -- I can't wait to be back on the sidelines soon."
ESPN announced it's fully supporting McShay's decision ... adding in a statement of their own, "Todd has ESPN's full support as he steps away at this time to focus on his health and his family."
McShay has battled health problems in the past year ... he tested positive for COVID in early 2020, and he was also removed from his role as a sideline reporter during a game in November due to illness.
Todd McShay's opening comments on the Wisconsin-Northwestern broadcast. (He was later taken off the broadcast thanks to illness.) pic.twitter.com/ehWKzqXJpN
— Andrew Bucholtz (@AndrewBucholtz) November 22, 2020
The 44-year-old has been a mainstay on ESPN through the years ... famously becoming one of most notable draft reporters on television.