Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, known as “the voice of college football” and “Mr. College Football,” died Friday night at the age of 89. The cause of death "wasn’t specified, but Jackson died" in his Sherman Oaks, Calif., home. Throughout a 52-year career, Jackson’s voice "accompanied the telecast of many of the country’s -- and world’s -- classic sporting events." He "worked 15 Rose Bowls, 16 Sugar Bowls, 10 different Olympic Games -- both Summer and Winter -- the World Series and Monday Night Football" (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 1/14). Few broadcasters have "become as identified with a single sport to a national audience as Jackson with college football" (ESPN.com, 1/13).
NBC’s Al Michaels said, "I had the great pleasure of working with Keith for thirty years at ABC. He was one of a kind. The original play-by-play announcer on 'Monday Night Football,' forever remembered as the voice of college football. He made so many autumn afternoons ... very special. NBC’s Cris Collinsworth: “He just had a great way of phrasing everything” (“Falcons-Eagles,” NBC, 1/13).
