Keith Jackson to Retire. Again.
Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson has announced that he is going to retire. For good, this time.
Keith Jackson thinks this is the right time for him to retire. Jackson, widely regarded as the voice of college football, has decided to stop broadcasting games. “I’m finished with play-by-play forever,” he told The New York Times. Jackson spent some 40 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.
“Keith Jackson is a man of great character and a legendary broadcaster,” ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer said. “For decades, his unmistakable style defined college football for millions of fans. While we hate to say goodbye, we understand his decision and wish him the very best.”
He also announced he would retire after the 1998 season, but ended up continuing with ABC Sports. He said this time is different. “This is the perfect time,” Jackson told the newspaper. “I don’t want to get back into the pressure cooker of play-by-play and worry about travel. I don’t want to die in a stadium parking lot.”
Jackson, 77, began calling college football games with ABC in 1966. He also worked NBA, NFL games and the Olympics, but was always best known for college football. “We very much wanted Keith to return for what would have been his 40th season,” ESPN and ABC Sports executive vice president Norby Williamson said. “When he expressed to us that he was considering retirement, we repeatedly tried to convince him otherwise, but completely respect his decision. As it turns out, it’s fitting that Keith’s final game call was the 2006 Rose Bowl, an historic event where Keith was right where he belonged — as the great narrator skillfully articulating the drama for a captivated audience. We are forever grateful.”
At 77, it’s certainly time. He was one of the greats, though.
- Hofstra University to drop football program
- Chair of BCS committee not on board with Obama’s playoff idea
- John Madden retires after 30 years in booth
- First ever Seattle Supersonics announcer, Bob Blackburn, dead at 85
- Bobby Bowden Not Quite Ready to Retire
- Skip Caray Snubbed by TBS Playoff Coverage
- Former MLB Pitcher Herb Score dead at 75
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut WR Dexter Jackson
- Bledsoe Excited about Throwing to T.O.
- Greatest College Football Team Ever
- Eight is Enough- Edmonton beats Chicago 8-4
- Lydia Ko wins New South Wales Open
- The Comeback I- Pittsburgh Penguins beat NY Islanders 5-0
- Seattle Mariners Outfielder Greg Halman stabbed to death at age 24
- Hee Young Park wins CME Titleholders Championship
- Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach Kurt Budke dead at 50
- Costly mistake- Blackhawks waive Rostislav Olesz
- Manager Tony La Russa announces retirement
- Puck Drop- Florida Panthers start the 2011-12 NHL season
- 13-time PGA Tour winner Dave Hill dead at 74
Comments are Closed