• Pat Summerall, who with his NFL broadcast partner John Madden defined Sunday afternoons for generations of Americans, has passed away. He was 82, and experienced cardiac arrest while in the hospital recovering from a broken hip.
Summerall was perhaps the best example of an athlete transitioning into the broadcast booth, bringing a honeyed voice and minimalist's approach to his play-by-play and analysis, first for radio and then on television. Before he became a broadcaster, Summerall was a placekicker for the New York Giants, retiring after scoring 563 points from field goals or extra points (except for one touchdown scored on an interception return).
Summerall didn't just broadcast football. For years, he also called the Masters golf tournament and the US Open tennis tournament.
And, he was a recovered alcoholic who went public after his recovery, sharing stories from a troubled past and what happened after an intervention by friends and time spent at the Betty Ford clinic.
Summerall was perhaps the best example of an athlete transitioning into the broadcast booth, bringing a honeyed voice and minimalist's approach to his play-by-play and analysis, first for radio and then on television. Before he became a broadcaster, Summerall was a placekicker for the New York Giants, retiring after scoring 563 points from field goals or extra points (except for one touchdown scored on an interception return).
Summerall didn't just broadcast football. For years, he also called the Masters golf tournament and the US Open tennis tournament.
And, he was a recovered alcoholic who went public after his recovery, sharing stories from a troubled past and what happened after an intervention by friends and time spent at the Betty Ford clinic.
- KC's View:
