College Football: Remembering Keith Jackson, the voice of college football

Keith Jackson, the voice of college football for five decades, has passed away at 89 after an iconic broadcasting career filled with memorable moments.

Growing up in the 1980’s and 1990’s as a college football fan you got to know the voice of Keith Jackson all too well. If it was a big game it seemed like Jackson was on the call in the world of college football.

During his five decade tenure with ABC he covered a multitude of sporting events from the World Series, to the Super Bowl, and even the Olympics. If you’re a pro wrestling fan there’s the immediate connection to “JR” Jim Ross that can be made, southern gentlemen with charming sayings and a flair for the big moment.

Jackson started his career in 1952 and it ran through the 2006 Rose Bowl between USC and Texas. Of course, Jackson would retire calling one of the greatest games and plays in college football history as Vince Young scampered into the end zone on fourth-and-five from the 9-yard line to score the go-ahead touchdown with only eight seconds left to play. The Longhorns would celebrate their national championship with a 41-38 win over the Trojans, and Keith Jackson would ride off into the sunset of retirement.

Only Keith Jackson could make Gatorade seem so classy you’d sip it on the French Riviera. His smooth southern voice narrating the “Spirit of the Swamp” Gatorade commercial with classic rock as the soundtrack. Gatorade knew there was only one voice that could define their product, college football, and in essence Gainesville, FL. A farm boy from Georgia, Jackson enlisted in the Marines and attended Washington State University on the G.I. Bill graduating from WSU in 1954 with a degree in speech communications.

Jackson cut his teeth announcing for Washington State, then the University of Washington before being the first American to broadcast from the Soviet Union. Jackson joined ABC Radio West in 1964 and ABC Sports in 1966. A true class act, his calls never felt biased. Today’s announce booths always feel as though the announce team is pulling for a narrative like an upset or a big name quarterback while Jackson just loved the game itself.

A lengthy list of memories

Jackson’s resume is a laundry list of iconic games throughout college football history. From the aforementioned 2006 Rose Bowl, to the “hold the phone” call as Miami cornerback Glenn Sharpe was called for a penalty to give the Buckeyes new life in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl Jackson was there on the call and calm under pressure. He didn’t have the feigned excitement in his voice after an eight yard run that so many play-by-play announcers have today. Jackson stayed cool and calm like you would expect a Marine to be in big moment.

Jackson called a slew of games featuring the top rated team in the country over the years. The 1979 Sugar Bowl between Alabama and number one Penn State, the first Wide Right game between Miami and FSU in 1991, and the Sugar Bowl rematch in 1997 between Florida State and Florida. Jackson was also there for the Miracle at Michigan in 1994, the Desmond Howard Heisman Trophy winning punt return in 1991, and the 100th meetings between Michigan and Ohio State and Oklahoma and Texas.

Keith Jackson has left a lasting impression on the world of college football. Jackson’s sayings are synonymous with the game itself. Jackson is known for his inflection on “fum-BLE” to “whoa, nellie” and “hold the phone.” But it goes beyond the homegrown sayings and every college football fan’s impression of Jackson over the past fifty-plus years. Jackson has also left an impression by naming the Rose Bowl the “Granddaddy of Them All” to nicknaming Michigan Stadium “The Big House.”

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As famous and intertwined with college football as Kirk Herbstreit has become his voice will never define the spirit and passion of the game like Keith Jackson’s. Rest in Peace to a great broadcaster and a great man, we’ll miss you Keith.

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