Behind the Mic: NESN’s Remy to Sit Out Remainder of Red Sox Season After Tragedy; CSN Philly Adds Westbrook to Eagles Coverage

Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy will miss the remainder of the season after being absent from the team’s NESN telecasts since his son Jared was arrested and charged with murdering his girlfriend Jennifer Martel on August 15. According to the Boston Herald, NESN indicated it was Remy’s call to sit out the season and he will be welcomed back next season. Dennis Eckersley has filled in alongside Don Orsillo in Remy’s absence. Jon Rish and Peter Gammons will join Orsillo, the play-by-play voice, Friday. Rish, who left WEEI in April after being asked to take a pay cut, will also work the Saturday-Monday games…

…Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia has added former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Westbrook to its “Eagles Pregame Live,” “In-Game Live,” and “Eagles Postgame Live” programs for the 2013 football season. Westbrook will also contribute to “Eagles Extra,” “Philly Sports Talk,” and “Full Contact.” Westbrook spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, was a two-time All Pro running back, and sits atop the Eagles franchise record books in several categories…

…Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl running back Jerome Bettis has joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. The 13-year NFL veteran began appearing on NFL Live and SportsCenter and contributing to other ESPN platforms on Sept. 1. The NFL’s sixth all-time leading rusher and long-time Pittsburgh Steeler announced his retirement from professional football in February 2006. Bettis has appeared as a guest on ESPN shows throughout the years, including the Super Bowl XLV edition of Sunday NFL Countdown in 2011 when the Steelers played the Packers. Bettis previously worked as an analyst for NBC Sports…

After just one week on Fox Sports Southwest’s college football coverage, Craig James is already out at the network. According to SI.com, the hire had not been fully vetted at the highest levels of Fox Sports management. A formal agreement had not been finalized, even though James appeared on FSS on Saturday night. James came under fire during his latter years at ESPN for his criticism of then Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, as well as for controversial statements he made during his Senate campaign last year in Texas…

…Comcast SportsNet Chicago has announced the full-time hiring of anchor/reporter Jen Lada as its newest on-air talent member for the network’s signature nightly sports news program, SportsNet Central.  Lada recently began her daily beat role on SportsNet Central’s team coverage of the Chicago Bears.  In addition to the Bears beat, Lada will also handle on-site, post-game reporting duties throughout the year at home games for all four of CSN’s pro team partners, along with general assignment reporting.  Plus, Lada will occasionally host viewer interactive studio segments on the network’s post-game shows, along with a variety of digital initiatives that will be showcased on CSNChicago.com…

…Puerto Rican referee Joe Cortez made his debut on ESPN Deportes last month, providing commentary and analysis for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combate on a world title doubleheader. Cortez will contribute across ESPN Deportes platforms leading up to the Mayweather vs. Canelo fight on Sept. 14. His participation will include daily appearances on ESPN Deportes’ comprehensive news and information coverage planned the week of Sept. 9, in anticipation of the fight, as well as weekly appearances on A Los Golpes…