Jesse Palmer is crediting his stint as The Bachelor's fifth-season star for helping him as a college football analyst and landing him a job at ESPN.

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"In a funny way, I think it really helped me in terms of broadcasting," he told USA Today in a Thursday report. "It really helped making me comfortable on camera and reaching a different audience. And the people at ESPN viewed it as a positive."

ESPN hired the former NFL quarterback as an analyst for its College Football Live and ESPN2's Saturday studio show prior to last fall's college football season. 

Palmer will have a new role for the upcoming season -- working as Doug Flutie's replacement on ESPN's Thursday night games alongside play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler and analyst Craig James, USA Today reported.

The 29-year-old former quarterback -- who played his days of college ball at the University of Florida -- had stints with the NFL's New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, as well as more recently with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. 

In May 2007 he decided to put an end to his football playing days to pursue a broadcasting career.

Since his professional football career was as a backup, Palmer is presumably still better well-known for serving as the object of affection during The Bachelor's Spring 2004 fifth season. 

Palmer presented his final rose to Jessica Bowlin during the May 2004 finale -- but instead of proposing he opted to present her with a one-way ticket to join him in New York.  It probably should have been a round trip ticket since the couple announced a mutual break-up not even a month after The Bachelor's finale aired. 

Still single, Palmer said he has no regrets about The Bachelor.

"It certainly changed my life," he told USA Today. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And ironically enough, I think when I was getting ready for a career after football, it really helped."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
Christopher Rocchio is an entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and has covered the reality TV genre for several years.