After nearly 50 years in sports broadcasting, Brent Musburger announced Wednesday he’s hanging things up. The 77-year-old’s last day on the air will be January 31 after he calls a Georgia vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game on ESPN.
In case you’re unfamiliar with his history, Musburger started his career in the 1960s and has called everything from the Little League World Series and the Indy 500 to the World Cup and the Super Bowl — and was damn good while doing it.
Musburger told his bosses he was thinking about retirement last month.
When did you learn of Brent’s intentions to leave play-by-play once and for all?
About 10 days prior to the Sugar Bowl, we were told that Brent was considering stepping away from play-by-play. I was shocked. I did not feel like it was time for him to step aside. We had a follow-up meeting where we made a very strong pitch to get him to change his mind.
In the end, he made a personal decision for himself and for his family. I respect that. But, personally and professionally, I am disappointed and saddened, considering he’s still a fantastic play-by-play announcer.
Some believe Musburger is making a sudden exit for the recent backlash he received after wishing Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon “well” during the Sugar Bowl. Mixon was suspended for a year for breaking a woman’s jaw.
But regardless of his reasons, one cannot ignore what Mussy has meant to the sports broadcasting world.
A true master of his craft and part of fanatics’ home television screens for decades, many started posting their favorite calls on Twitter.
How about this legendary call? Flutie’s miracle Hail Mary to lift Boston College over Miami in 1984.
Wishing Brent Musburger well as he retires from broadcasting. We might be biased, but this is our favorite call from Brent. pic.twitter.com/xoF9ZpOSmj
— BC Football (@BCFootball) January 25, 2017
Or how about the famous Ricky Williams “Hall Of Fame” call in 1998.
One of my favorite TV calls of all time. Thanks for all the great memories Brent Musburger! You will be missed! @Longhorn_FB pic.twitter.com/H48lgOuBab
— Derek Ochoa (@DerekOchoa25) January 25, 2017
But there were some great ‘calls’ as of late.
How about getting credit for ‘discovering’ Jenn Sterger while she was a student at Florida State in 2005?
“1,500 red blooded Americans just decided to apply to Florida State.”
Let’s just say Mussy had an eye for the co-eds.
His most famous doozy was, without question, Katherine Webb, back in 2013.
You can see an entire collection dedicated to Mussy here.
Musburger has worked at ABC/ESPN since 1990. He said his next stop would be “in Las Vegas.”
As for Webb? Well …
Cheers Brent, you were good to me. https://t.co/GFYECtbdW2
— Katherine McCarron (@_KatherineWebb) January 25, 2017
We’ll all miss ya, Brent!
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
Photo: Getty
