Rich Gannon is a former NFL quarterback. At the University of Delaware, he recorded at least 2,000 offensive yards for three straight seasons and was Yankee Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

In the 1987 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Gannon in the fourth round intent upon converting Gannon to running back. Gannon would go on to play 18 NFL seasons. He was soon traded to the Minnesota Vikings and would play with the Vikings until 1992.  In 1992, he formally became the starting quarterback for the Vikings and led the Vikings to an 11–5 season and the playoffs after two consecutive losing seasons. Gannon played with the Washington Redskins in 1993, the Kansas City Chiefs from 1995–98, and the Oakland Raiders from 1999–2004. With the Raiders, he achieved his greatest successes, including four consecutive seasons making the Pro Bowl (1999–2002), three consecutive postseason appearances for the Raiders (2000–2002), two All-Pro selections (2000, 2002), one MVP, and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII.

After retiring from football before the 2005 season, Gannon began a career in sports broadcasting. As of 2021, he is a sports commentator with CBS Sports.