Joey Harrington has been a star quarterback for the University of Oregon Ducks, a Heisman Trophy finalist, an NFL pro, and a TV sports broadcaster. Starting today, he has a new job: part-time reporter for KGW-TV, Portland's NBC affiliate.

"I've had my eye on him for a while," says Rick Jacobs, KGW executive news director. "He's a local guy, he knows the community so well, he's really plugged in."

Harrington will be a part-time contributor on-air and online, Jacobs says, "telling inspirational, positive stories about people in our community."

In his 1998-2001 career at the U of O, Harrington was a star quarterback for the Ducks, and was fourth in the 2001 Heisman Trophy voting. Harrington played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

After leaving football, Harrington became a sports broadcaster, with stints including Fox Sports Radio, Fox, and Fox Sports 1.

Harrington, who was born and raised in Portland and attended Central Catholic High School, is also involved with philanthropy through the Harrington Family Foundation, which Harrington established in 2003. The foundation awards scholarships to Oregon high school students to attend in-state colleges, universities and trade schools, and also supports Oregon nonprofit organizations with the goal of helping Oregon children access education and develop leadership skills.

Jacobs says he expects Harrington to to make "a couple of appearances a week" on KGW, as well as contributing to KGW's digital platforms. Jacobs isn't ruling out making use of Harrington's sports expertise.

"I will have him occasionally do sports reporting for us," he says. "Let's say there's a big story about Marcus Mariota. I might have Joey provide insights about that, or have him do a sports report on something else we find interesting."

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquist