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THE CALLS: BEST SPORTSCASTERS OF ALL-TIME!
We all have watched sports throughout our lives. There were some games and plays that you remember to this day, but what makes those plays and games memorable are the men behind the plays and games. I'm talking about the sportscasters. Let's face it, those memories wouldn't be possible with out some of the best play-by-play men navigating us through them. So without any more delay. Here are the top sports casters of all-time!
5. Pat Summerall and John Madden
If you played Madden football video games in the 90's you were guaranteed to hear Pat Summerall and John Madden on the calls every play. To add to their legacy, they've called multiple Super Bowls together which only adds to the stigma of the legendary duo. Together, Summerall and Madden were side by side for over 20+ years. They also call the games in the cult classic movie "The Replacements". A semi-true story about the 1987 NFL strike in which teams were suited with replacement players to finish the season. Pat Summerall would pass away in 2013 at the age of 82. Although his legendary voice is missed on Sundays, his legacy still lives on in the hearts of all sports fans.
4. Mike Tirico
In all honesty, Thursday night college football on ESPN was boring even when it was a good match-up. That is until the introduction of commentator Mike Tirico. Mike gave enthusiasm and excitement when calling games. Something ESPN was missing at the time. His best call in my opinion was in 2003. The game featured the Miami Hurricanes and West Virginia Mountaineers in what has since been dubbed "The Run". You can see and hear that play in the video below.
3. Chris Fowler/ Kirk Herbstreit
If you've ever watched College Game Day on ESPN on a early Saturday morning you knew the day of college football was going to be awesome. What was even better was knowing that Fowler and Herbstreit were going to call the Marquee game of the night. How could you beat that? Yes, Chris Fowler retired from College Game Day a few years back, but he and Herbstreit still call games together on a Saturday night as well as some College Football Playoff games every season. They're still one of the best modern day commentating duos.
1c. Joe Tait
This list would not be complete if Joe Tait wasn't on it. Joe is well respected in the world of sports and especially in Cleveland, Ohio where he spent most of his career as a sportscaster. Joe would spend decades calling the Cavs, Indians, and the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders football games. What makes him even more legendary is that Joe called these games by himself! A feat not many sportscasters can or have done since. Such phrases as "Three-ball", and "Got Another one!" are always phrases that would have you sitting on the edge of your seat every game. Unfortunately for us Cleveland sports fans, we lost Joe at the young age of 83 back in March of this year. Although we no longer have Joe with us. He is always with us in spirit at every Cavs game as he is the only sportscaster with his "jersey" banner in the rafters included with retired Cavs numbers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland. You can also hear some of Joe's famous calls below.
1B. Keith Jackson
"Whoa Nellie!", "Fum-BLE!", and "Hold The Phonnne!" were just a few of Jacksons' phrases that we all remember watching games in which he lent his voice to. For those that were too young to remember, Keith Jackson wasn't just a sportscaster. He was a story teller! Always giving the history between the two teams involved, especially games between Ohio State and that team up north(Michigan). Jackson is also credited with Nicknaming the Rose Bowl "The Grandaddy of them all!" and Michigan Stadium as the "Big House". Jackson at one time could be heard on the opening season of ABC's Monday Night Football in 1970, and also the later Super Nintendo video game version of the game. Keith Jackson is among one of the greatest sportscasters of all time and for good reason. If it was a game with two teams that hated each other and a story to tell, you can bet Keith Jackson was there to call it. Sadly, Keith would pass away in 2018 at the age of 89, but his presence is felt every Rose Bowl and Ohio State-Michigan game and every "autumn afternoon". Some of Keith's calls can be heard below.
Honorable Mention.
Ron Barr:
Ok, i get most of you have never heard of Ron Barr before, but if you were young enough to play any EA Sports game from late the late 80's to the mid 90's consider yourself lucky. Ron was our start into seeing commentators in video games. His most notable works were the "Bill Walsh College Football" and "NHL Hockey series. Go back and check those out if you ever get the chance.
Brad Nessler:
Brad can be heard on Saturday's calling a Southeastern Conference game, but his voice has made him famous and so has his appearances on the NCAA Football game franchise. Anytime you broke a play for a touchdown you can hear Brad say " HE"S GONNA TAKE IT TO THE BARN, TOUCHDOWN!" That never gets old! Here's some of Brad's best calls!
1A. Gus Johnson
Gus took over where Keith Jackson left off. There's no doubt in my mind. Gus brings excitement and intensity to any game he's calling. Gus not only calls football but he was also heard during "March Madness" in the NCAA basketball tournament. Phrases like "He's got get away from the cops speed!" or "Hurt My Feelings!" after a big hit were always fun to hear. I personally feel that Gus's voice needs to be on a video game and soon! Hear on of Gus Johnson's best calls below.
The Cobras lost a tough game against the Bobcats last week, but will be looking to travel down to historic portsmouth,Ohio to play the Port City Spartans. The Spartans are new to the Tri-point league, but the city itself is no stranger to football. A former NFL city. Portsmouth was once home to the NFL team the Portsmouth Spartans( now Detroit Lions) back in the 1930s. This iteration of the Spartans is young and talented. So let's take a look at the Spartans. Port City Spartans: Colors: Black, Purple, Gray Head Coach: Datoine Robinson Record: 2-2 overall, 1-0 league play (last game N/A) Key players offense: Mike Clay, Hayden Kinney, Darion Jones Key players defense: Rayshawn Raglin, Jaelin king, Dion Mckinley Overall: The Spartans display a balance of speed and defense. They play tough and can hang wit the best of them. The Cobras declined to be part of the "Tale of the tape" part of the article as it was all business back in the "Snake Pit" this week.
Back in December, we as a network were in Cincinnati for the first meeting between the Swerve and Crunch. Although the Swerve won the match 9-8, there was a few if not abundance of fouls not called in favor of the Crunch. especially a foul that was missed right before time ran out on the night. Homefield advantage? Some would say so, but never-the-less the Swerve achieved their first ever win over the Crunch. Fast forward to Saturday night at the Soccerplex in North Olmstead where the Crunch will host the Swerve in could be a early pivitol match-up. A lot has changed since December and so have the MLIS standings. The Crunch now stand alone atop the division while the Swerve are clinging to third place and are a game behind Rapid City. This is the first of another back to back weekend for the Crunch as the will host the Swerve Saturday night and then head to Motown to play the Waza Flo in Detroit. Keep in mind that in our last column we mentioned that the last time the Crunch held t
While we did apologize for there not being a stream for the Cobras game against the Leviathans back on May 20th. That did not stop the Cobras from coming home with the win that day. That game was also at a neutral site for both teams. This weekend however, the Cobras will be back home in lakewood at the "Snake Pit" for the first time in well over a year. This week's visitors, the Mahoning Valley Ruff Ryderz. Before we get down to the nitty-gritty let's take a look at both teams for a in-depth analysis. Cleveland Cobras: Colors: Green, black, white Head Coach: Adam Rogerson Record: 1-0,( defeated Leviathans 20-3 May 20th) Key players offense: Antonio Boyd, Emmet Calhoun, Malik Gabby Key players defense: Reese Smith, Smoke Fortson, Devierre Glenn Overall: The Cobras struggled in the first half against the Leviathans, but turned it up in the second half. Calhoun scored a rushing touchdown, while the defense had 6 sacks on the Leviathans quarterback as well as an int
"Whoa Nellie!", "Fum-BLE!", and "Hold The Phonnne!" were just a few of Jacksons' phrases that we all remember watching games in which he lent his voice to. For those that were too young to remember, Keith Jackson wasn't just a sportscaster. He was a story teller! Always giving the history between the two teams involved, especially games between Ohio State and that team up north(Michigan). Jackson is also credited with Nicknaming the Rose Bowl "The Grandaddy of them all!" and Michigan Stadium as the "Big House". Jackson at one time could be heard on the opening season of ABC's Monday Night Football in 1970, and also the later Super Nintendo video game version of the game. Keith Jackson is among one of the greatest sportscasters of all time and for good reason. If it was a game with two teams that hated each other and a story to tell, you can bet Keith Jackson was there to call it. Sadly, Keith would pass away in 2018 at the age of 89, but his presence is felt every Rose Bowl and Ohio State-Michigan game and every "autumn afternoon". Some of Keith's calls can be heard below.
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