Keith Jackson, the voice of college football for generations, has died
By Corey Masisak
Keith Jackson, one of the best play-by-play announcers in the history of sports, has died. He was 89.
Jackson is most famous for being the voice of college football’s biggest games for generations. He passed away Friday night, according to multiple reports.
He joined ABC in 1965, and many of his most memorable calls were in the biggest college football games. There were signature catch phrases, most notably “Whoa, Nellie!” and his booming folksy voice became the anthem of a sport.
Jackson initially announced his retirement in 1998, but continued to work a lighter schedule. His final game in a 52-year career was, fittingly, one of the greatest college football games of all time — Vince Young and Texas beating Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and USC for the 2005 national championship in the Rose Bowl.
Jackson also called college basketball games, auto racing, worked both Summer and Winter Olympics and was the first play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football in 1970. He also called some legendary MLB games, like Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.
The last MLB game Jackson ever announced was also an all-timer. He was on the call with Tim McCarver for Game 6 of the NLCS, a 16-inning marathon between the Mets and the Astros.
By Corey Masisak
Keith Jackson, one of the best play-by-play announcers in the history of sports, has died. He was 89.
Jackson is most famous for being the voice of college football’s biggest games for generations. He passed away Friday night, according to multiple reports.
He joined ABC in 1965, and many of his most memorable calls were in the biggest college football games. There were signature catch phrases, most notably “Whoa, Nellie!” and his booming folksy voice became the anthem of a sport.
Jackson initially announced his retirement in 1998, but continued to work a lighter schedule. His final game in a 52-year career was, fittingly, one of the greatest college football games of all time — Vince Young and Texas beating Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and USC for the 2005 national championship in the Rose Bowl.
Jackson also called college basketball games, auto racing, worked both Summer and Winter Olympics and was the first play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football in 1970. He also called some legendary MLB games, like Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.
The last MLB game Jackson ever announced was also an all-timer. He was on the call with Tim McCarver for Game 6 of the NLCS, a 16-inning marathon between the Mets and the Astros.
