Legendary college football sportscaster Keith Jackson died on Saturday. He was 89.
Jackson passed away surrounded by his family, according to NBC Sports.
No cause of death was given in a statement Saturday by ESPN. Jackson’s longtime employer was ABC Sports.
Jackson covered many sports, but he was best known for college football. His signature phrases like “Whoa, Nelly!” gave his game calls a familiar feel. He called the Rose Bowl “The Granddaddy of Them All,” Sports Illustrated reported.
He began his career in 1952, according to ESPN. He started at ABC in 1966 and retired after the 2006 Rose Bowl. Jackson is a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger says Jackson “was college football” for generations of fans. The Rose Bowl Stadium named its area for radio and television staff after Jackson in 2015.
Jackson also covered the NBA, MLB, NFL, golf, and the Olympics. He appeared in several commercials and had a small role as a sportscaster in the 1966 movie “The Fortune Cookie,” according to his page on IMDB.
Jackson was a longtime resident of Sherman Oaks, California, and Pender Harbour, British Columbia. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Turi Ann.
“The voice of college football and so much more has left us,” NBC’s Todd Harris wrote on Twitter Saturday morning. “Truly one of the greats in the broadcasting industry. I am grateful for my time with a true legend. Thank you for the lessons KJ.”
We are saddened to hear of Keith Jackson's passing.
An absolute icon, he was the Voice of the Rose Bowl and so many #B1G moments.
His calls, including this one, will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/zbE01ZxSfn
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 13, 2018
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit called Jackson “the greatest of them all.”
“Just heard the news that everyone’s favorite CFB broadcaster Keith Jackson passed away last night,” Herbstreit wrote on Twitter Saturday. “Can close my eyes and think of so many of his special calls. Thank you Keith for all the memories and the grace in which you provided them. RIP Keith.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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