Along with his broadcasting mentor Ray Scott, IMO the best television football play-by-play announcer ever (with Lon Simmons and Bill King being the best on radio).
Summerall's work with Madden was magic. Equally magical was Pat's earlier work with Tom Brookshier on CBS and with NFL Films, and in the "tower" working golf with Ken Venturi. Pat was also at the mike during some of the most memorable US Open tennis matches, where again his versatility and signature style was perfect.
Thank you Mr. Summerall, for the wonderful calls, commentary, drama, and joy that you provided for a generation of fans.
Always utterly professional on the set, I'm happy to have worked with him on air at the "CBS Sports Spectacular".I know of no other national sportscaster who was more of a gentleman . He wasn't always conniving to undercut his competitors which is one of the reasons why we remember him so fondly. On Saint Patty's Day in NYC, his nose was always a little pink and he'd joke about it good-naturedly with the makeup person. Adios Pat!
I grew up listening to him. And the famous Duane Thomas interview post Super Bowl game was one for the weird files...as Summerall and his partner Brookshier had to talk to Duanes "interpreter". Hilarious. But something troubling in reading his obit. He was a near lifelong alcoholic who in 2004 had a liver transplant from a 13 year old boy. Now,if your 13 year old son dies,don't you think in agreeing to harvest his organs that they would be used for a 6-20 year old cancer survivor or young child with hepatitis...and not a 71 year old man who already was retired and had lived his life? Doctors always talk ethics..and yet they pull that on us. I'm sure the family of that 13 year old must have felt great hearing that their sons liver went to somebody wealthy and famous...and 71 years old. And nine years later..he's dead.
This is an appropriate time to celebrate an awesome career and fulfilled life, not dwelling on the ills of society. You're right but the timing is in poor taste.
With Summerall, it was all about the game, not about Pat. Nobody did/does it better. Thanks for the memories.
When I think of Pat Summerall, my first memory is of him narrating "This Week in the NFL". Would watch every Saturday afternoon. As a previous poster stated he came from the Ray Scott school of minimalist; Boyd Dowler for 2, Carrol Dale up the middle.
Great voice, dignified, professional, and a good guy. We'll miss his broadcasts. I would much rather listen to him than some gimmicky character such as Chris Berman or some airhead like Erin Andrews!
Pat Summerall was made for TV, radio not so much (he substituted for MNF CBS Anchor Jack Buck one time) I will always remember his call of Eric Davis interception/TD of Troy Aikman in the 1995 NFC championship game and knowing Pat was going to have to glorify the 49ers the rest of the day much to his chagrin (and fellow Arkansas alums Jerry jones and Barry Switzer)
Godspeed Mr. Summerall, you and John Madden set the standard.
ReplyDeleteAlong with his broadcasting mentor Ray Scott, IMO the best television football play-by-play announcer ever (with Lon Simmons and Bill King being the best on radio).
ReplyDeleteSummerall's work with Madden was magic. Equally magical was Pat's earlier work with Tom Brookshier on CBS and with NFL Films, and in the "tower" working golf with Ken Venturi. Pat was also at the mike during some of the most memorable US Open tennis matches, where again his versatility and signature style was perfect.
Thank you Mr. Summerall, for the wonderful calls, commentary, drama, and joy that you provided for a generation of fans.
Agree. Excellent post.
DeleteAlways utterly professional on the set, I'm happy to have worked with him on air at the "CBS Sports Spectacular".I know of no other national sportscaster who was more of a gentleman . He wasn't always conniving to undercut his competitors which is one of the reasons why we remember him so fondly. On Saint Patty's Day in NYC, his nose was always a little pink and he'd joke about it good-naturedly with the makeup person. Adios Pat!
ReplyDeleteAlways a pro. Grew up watching games he and John Madden teamed on.
ReplyDeleteI grew up listening to him. And the famous Duane Thomas interview post Super Bowl game was one for the weird files...as Summerall and his partner Brookshier had to talk to Duanes "interpreter". Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteBut something troubling in reading his obit. He was a near lifelong alcoholic who in 2004 had a liver transplant from a 13 year old boy. Now,if your 13 year old son dies,don't you think in agreeing to harvest his organs that they would be used for a 6-20 year old cancer survivor or young child with hepatitis...and not a 71 year old man who already was retired and had lived his life?
Doctors always talk ethics..and yet they pull that on us. I'm sure the family of that 13 year old must have felt great hearing that their sons liver went to somebody wealthy and famous...and 71 years old. And nine years later..he's dead.
Nice remarks 8:54.
DeleteThis is an appropriate time to celebrate an awesome career and fulfilled life, not dwelling on the ills of society. You're right but the timing is in poor taste.
With Summerall, it was all about the game, not about Pat. Nobody did/does it better. Thanks for the memories.
RIP Mr. Summerall.
When I think of Pat Summerall, my first memory is of him narrating "This Week in the NFL".
ReplyDeleteWould watch every Saturday afternoon.
As a previous poster stated he came from the Ray Scott school of minimalist; Boyd Dowler for 2, Carrol Dale up the middle.
Great voice, dignified, professional, and a good guy. We'll miss his broadcasts. I would much rather listen to him than some gimmicky character such as Chris Berman or some airhead like Erin Andrews!
ReplyDeleteor worse yet, Cris Collinsworth... Good bye, Mr. Summerall. May you enjoy that great football broadcast booth in the sky...
ReplyDeletePat Summerall was made for TV, radio not so much (he substituted for MNF CBS Anchor Jack Buck one time) I will always remember his call of Eric Davis interception/TD of Troy Aikman in the 1995 NFC championship game and knowing Pat was going to have to glorify the 49ers the rest of the day much to his chagrin (and fellow Arkansas alums Jerry jones and Barry Switzer)
ReplyDelete