Sportscasting Legend Keith Jackson Dies

Photo: Shutterstock.com

KEITH JACKSON, whose distinctive voice and cadence were identified as the sound of televised college football for over 50 years, died FRIDAY (1/12) at 89.

JACKSON, who called practically every sport and major athletic event in the course of his career at ABC and ESPN, was best known for his television work, including serving as the first play-by-play announced for MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL and calling the WORLD SERIES, OLYMPICS, and countless others, but he also worked on radio, first at KOMO-A/SEATTLE and then as Sports Director of ABC RADIO WEST and correspondent for ABC NEWS RADIO.  The GEORGIA native, who coined terms like "The Big House" for MICHIGAN STADIUM and "The Granddaddy of Them All" for the ROSE BOWL and was known for the catchphrase "Whoa, Nellie!," retired twice, first in 1998 and then, after unretiring the next year, after the 2006 ROSE BOWL.

« see more Net News