Legendary voice of college football, bringing excitement and energy to Saturday afternoons with his iconic calls and folksy charm.
Keith Jackson, the iconic American sports commentator, journalist, author, and radio personality, is best known for his unparalleled career with ABC Sports, spanning over four decades from 1966 to 2006. His deep, resonant, and authoritative voice is synonymous with college football, earning him the nickname "The Voice of College Football."
Born on October 18, 1928, in Roopville, Georgia, Jackson grew up on a farm outside Carrollton, near the Alabama state line. As the only surviving child in a poor family, he developed a passion for sports, listening to games on the radio. After serving as a mechanic in the United States Marine Corps, Jackson attended Washington State University in Pullman under the G.I. Bill, where he graduated with a degree in speech communications in 1954.
Jackson's broadcasting career began in 1952, when he called a game between Stanford and Washington State on the Tidewater Associated Oil Co. radio network. He then worked for KOMO radio in Seattle and later for KOMO-TV from 1954 to 1964 as co-anchor for their first news team. In 1966, he joined ABC Sports, where he would spend the next 40 years of his career, covering a wide range of sports, including Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, boxing, auto racing, PGA Tour golf, the USFL, and the Olympic Games.
Jackson's coverage of college football, however, remains his most enduring and iconic legacy. He called some of the most memorable games in college football history, including the 1969 Texas-Arkansas "Game of the Century," the 1973 Notre Dame-USC "Game of the Century," and the 1980 Georgia-Florida "Gator Bowl." He was known for his folksy, down-to-earth style, which endeared him to fans across the country.
Jackson is credited with coining several signature phrases, including "Whoa, Nellie!" and "The Big House" (referring to Michigan Stadium). He also popularized the phrase "The Granddaddy of Them All" to describe the Rose Bowl. His unique voice and phrasing have become an integral part of college football's cultural heritage.
Jackson received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to sports broadcasting, including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association's Hall of Fame, the American Sportscasters Association's Sportscaster of the Year, and the National Football Foundation's Gold Medal Award. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Keith Jackson's legacy extends far beyond his impressive broadcasting career. He played a significant role in shaping the way Americans experience college football, making it a staple of American sports culture. His influence can be seen in the work of subsequent sports broadcasters, who have followed in his footsteps, trying to capture the same magic and excitement that he brought to the game.
In 2018, Jackson passed away, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain fans of college football. His iconic voice and folksy charm remain an integral part of the sport's history, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Throughout his life, Jackson remained humble and grounded, never losing sight of his rural roots. He was known for his charitable work, particularly in the area of education, and was a long-time supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Born in 1918
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