Ed and I frequently talk about ‘greats’ from our childhood who have passed away. We lost another one earlier this week.
In a week that is already laden with heavy, sad news came the word that broadcaster Pat Summerall passed away at the age of 82.
Summerall is most famous for playing straight man as NFL play-by-play announcer to John Madden’s animated ‘boom-boom-boom.’ Together, the two of them worked side-by-side for 21 years calling some of the greatest games in NFL history. During their tenure at CBS, , they broadcast Super Bowls XVI, XVIII, XXI, XXIV, and XXVI together. Later, at Fox the pair called Super Bowls XXXI, XXXIII, and XXXVI together.
Summerall was also a noted golf announcer, working the coverage of The Masters for CBS for many years.
But it was in football broadcasting that he gained his notoriety. Ironically, the Summerall-Madden team did not work together on the famous game described as ‘The Catch,’ the 1981 NFC Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. They were, however, teamed up for the game known as “The Catch II,” when San Fran rallied to defeat Green Bay in the 1999 NFC Wild Card game 30-27.
That was just one of many games the two did together.
I was listening to the Mike and Mike in the Morning show today and it was interesting to hear John Madden’s comments about his former broadcasting partner as he paid tribute.
The thing that I liked the most about listening to Pat Summerall call a game was how understated he was. No need to opine about the game. No need for gimmicks. No need to call attention to himself. He realized the game was bigger than that.
And, so it was just enjoyable to tune in for a telecast featuring him behind the mike. Like so many of his contemporaries, he was just a real pro.
JG
Originally posted 4/18/2013
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