Michael Wilbon is taking an indefinite leave of absence from ESPN due to “multiple health issues“.The legendary sports commentator announced the news on Monday in a statement after his sudden absence from Pardon the Interruption (PTI), which earned Sports Emmy awards in 2009, 2016 and 2017.Michael Wilbon is pausing all his work and media responsibilities due to ill healthGettyWilbon has been absent from his usual spot on PTI opposite Tony Kornheiser since October 26. Now, less than a month after the program celebrated its 25th anniversary, the 67-year-old said he taking a step back from work to address “multiple health issues” he said he should have listened to sooner.“This isn’t retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one. Struggles with multiple health issues in recent months lead me to take an indefinite leave of absence from my PTI and NBA duties at ESPN and ABC,” Wilbon posted.“Probably, I should have listened to medical professionals and people closest to me, yep Kornheiser included, who saw worrisome signs in recent years that suggested I take time away earlier. But I didn’t. And as one close friend has said as my issues have become bigger, ‘the bill has come due.’ The struggles are all health related, not to alcohol (I’m not swearing off the now-and-then Kier Royale) and not to gambling (those winds of change I find loathsome).“I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years. And I’m incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement of my colleagues as I take this time away to concentrate on me, specifically on my well-being. I have no idea exactly how this part of my journey will wind up. The goal is to come out of it feeling much better than I do now and ready to return to sparring with Tony.”Wilbon made his name at the Washington Post, where he started in 1980, before launching PTI with Kornheiser in October 2001. An ESPN spokesman told Front Office Sports that long-time guest hosts Pablo Torre and Frank Isola will fill in for Wilbon this week.He suffered a minor heart attack in 2008 and was later diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.Close friend and ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith was one of the first to react to the news, revealing that he knew Wilbon’s leave of absence had been coming for some time.“Obviously I know a thing or two about this subject matter, that’s his business to tell,” Smith said on SiriusXM Monday afternoon.“I will tell you, as much as I love seeing him on the airwaves, as much as I’m gonna miss seeing him on the airwaves – hopefully for a short time – I’m happy he’s doing this. This is good news to me. Because that means the health concerns that he’s had are gonna take priority with him addressing it.Wilbon is an ESPN regular, calling the NBAGettyClose friend and colleague Stephen A. Smith wished him wellGetty“Because he himself is a workaholic. Always gets on me for being a workaholic; he’s a workaholic too. And this industry, and this world, is a better place with Mike Wilbon in it. He’s not only one of the greatest talents that I’ve ever seen in this industry as both a writer and a broadcaster, he’s an even a better person. He’s one of the greatest human beings I have ever known in my life.”“But I’m happy it’s here,” he continued. “Because we need him around for a very, very long time.In a statement, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said Wilbon has the network’s full support. “Michael and his family have ESPN’s full support as he takes time away to focus on his health and well-being,” wrote Pitaro. “He’s an important member of our ESPN team and widely respected by his peers, sports fans and so many others through our industry.”During an appearance on The Tony Kornheiser Show on Monday, Wilbon explained his decision in more detail.“For people who pay attention, I’ve been away. I didn’t do the show for a week last week, ” he said. “And I didn’t do the show for a week because I was just exhausted; beyond exhausted, lifeless. And this has been going on for a while. And people, you, and people close to me know that this has been happening. And you and [PTI executive producer] Erik [Rydholm] and [PTI coordinating producer] Matt Kelliher and everybody at PTI, you guys knew that I was not up to snuff … for weeks, and were trying to get me to take some time off and do something about it,” Wilbon said.“You know how I am, you’ve known me as long as anybody, that’s not my way. My way is to run through the brick wall, to go to work. You go to work. It’s what you do. You go to work until somebody stops you from going to work. Well, that’s what this is now.”Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside, the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans.Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.