NBC sportscasting legend Charlie Jones dies at age 77

[Auggie]

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Charlie Jones, the deep-voiced sportscaster whose career as a play-by-play announcer dated to the beginning of the American Football League in 1960, has died. He was 77.

Jones died of a massive heart attack Thursday at his home in the La Jolla district of San Diego, said his wife, Ann.

Jones, who retired in the late 1990s, had been in poor health for several years, she said.

Jones worked for ABC and NBC in a career spanning 38 years.

Link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/13/charlie.jones.obit.ap/?cnn=yes

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I can still hear him calling Steelers/Browns games.

[El Supremo]

1. I really liked him.

First as the sportscaster at channel 8 (ABC) in Dallas then as the Rockies play-by-play announcer in the '90s. I met him at a food court right before he was fired by the Rox. I told him that he was being criticized unfairly. I kind of liked his comment that "Bichette happens!" Charlie really like all sports and enjoyed his work.

[underpants]

2. A great one

:-(

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. Aw, hell

A pleasure to listen to and great pipes.



:patriot:

[Awsi Dooger]

4. One of my favorites

He had an awesome voice and great subtle sense of humor on the telecasts, allowing the play by play guy to feel comfortable. Jones never tried to be the dominant member of the telecast.

I remember he blew the call in the '88 Olympic 800 meter final, identifying the wrong runner (Kenyan?) as the leader. It caused Frank Shorter, doing the analysis, to also latch onto the wrong guy. That continued throughout the remainder of the race until Jones caught it (perhaps tipped by producers in his ear) shortly after the finish, and he announced the mistake. Shorter was in horror but Jones immediately took responsibility: "My mistake, nobody else's."

Seems like only a few years ago I heard him on a telecast, and was glad he was still broadcasting. But based on that late '90s retirement date it must be further removed than I thought, just like everything else..

[El Supremo]

5. You have got to read Charlie Jones' blog.

He was blogging just a week ago. He has some great comments on Blackwater and Obama.

http://charliejonesonsports.blogspot.com/