Keith Jackson, Folksy Voice of College Football, Dies at 89

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Keith Jackson, Folksy Voice of College Football, Dies at 89
By Mike Kupper and Mike DiGiovanna/ Sports/ Los Angeles Times/ latimes.com

For decades during college football season, his homespun phrases moved across the airwaves.

Linemen were not guards and tackles, they were “the big uglies.” Running backs didn’t drop the ball, there was a “fuumm-bull!” Of an undersized player, he might say, “He’s a little-bitty thing, a bantam rooster. But he’s young. If he keeps eatin’ his cornbread, he’ll be man-sized someday.”

And, of course, there was “Whoa, Nellie!,” which became known as his signature phrase.

Keith Jackson, the folksy voice of college football who for decades weaved backwoods wit through ABC broadcasts, died Friday night. He was 89...."

Richard

 

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5 Memorable Calls From Keith Jackson's Legendary Career
By Dane Belbeck/ The Score/ score.com

"College football lost a legend Friday when broadcaster Keith Jackson died at the age of 89.

The man commonly referred to as the voice of college football often used his catchphrase "Whoa Nellie!" to punctuate a big play. Jackson is responsible for dubbing the Rose Bowl "the granddaddy of them all," and Michigan Stadium being referred to as "The Big House."

If you research a major college football game that was played between 1960 and 2006, there's a strong possibility that Jackson was the man on the call.

Here are five of the best moments from his legendary career...."

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty


Richard

 

[Talent312]

I remember him fondly.
I came of age with Keith Jackson calling college football games.

 

[pedro47]

Keith Jackson was the smooth voice of ABC sports not liked that loud mouth Howard Cossell. He is another great sports announcer gone. RIP in Keith Jackson.

 

[WalnutBaron]

Whoa, Nellie. Long before ESPN, ABC Sports was “recognized around the world as the leader in sports television” (their slogan at the time). Keith Jackson was one of the paragons of that age. He was a class act.