Posted on 01/13/2018 9:01:40 AM PST by buckalfa
Keith Jackson, who was widely regarded as the voice of college football by several generations, died late Friday night, his family said. He was 89.
Jackson, who retired in 2006, spent some 50 years calling the action in a folksy, down-to-earth manner that made him one of the most popular play-by-play personalities in the business.
"For generations of fans, Keith Jackson was college football," said Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "When you heard his voice, you knew it was a big game. Keith was a true gentleman and memorable presence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Turi Ann, and his family."
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
My buddy and I saw Mr. Jackson and his wife shopping in our local Dillards store in Lincoln, Ne. He was in town to call the Nebraska Oklahoma game in I believe ‘89. We were both in our early 20’s and we followed him all over the store because we were starstruck. Needless to say we are both huge college football fans. He looked at us like he thought we were going to rob him. I would think the giggling would have given us away.
He was the best and you knew if he was calling your game on ABC that your game was the big one of the day. He was the guy that started calling the Rose Bowl “the granddaddy of em all”. RIP.
Yep, ‘big uglies’
Me too.
Ed
yes, but he came back to do the TEXAS vs USC title game in ‘05. one of the greatest ever! imo...
I hadn’t heard about him in years...I was a bit surprised he was still alive.
RIP
He also announced an unlimited hydroplane race: 1979 Gold Cup in Madison Indiana. I think he announced some Indy Car and NASCAR races also.
RIP.
Vern said he wasn’t giving up The Masters.
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