Saturday, January 13, 2018

Whoa, Nellie!



Here in Texas there is widespread reverence (except in College Station, I suppose) for the 2006 national championship game between the Texas Longhorns and the Southern Cal Trojans.

Even now more than a decade later.

If you ask people around here what they remember about that game, they are almost sure to mention Vince Young's scamper into the end zone in the final seconds to win it.

It was a classic, all right, and I remember that moment, too, but what I remember most about that game was how familiar it all felt — with Keith Jackson calling it.

It was the last game in a remarkable career, a career that included coverage of pro football, the Olympics, boxing, racing. All sports, really, but especially college football.

Jackson died Friday night at the age of 89.

His career spanned more than half a century so the odds are pretty good that you or someone you know — perhaps both — grew up listening to Jackson's play–by–plays.

Lots of people forget that Jackson was on the original Monday Night Football broadcasting crew doing the play–by–play. Frank Gifford was the original choice, but he had other commitments in that first season so Jackson handled the play–by–play. Gifford took over the next season.

People have been sharing their memories of Jackson on social media today, and they are all great memories.

I grew up listening to Jackson, and I can't say I have a special memory. But all those other moments sound familiar, whether I actually witnessed them or not.

One thing I can say is that Jackson and I were once at the same game — at least once.

My family attended the Sugar Bowl a couple of times when I was growing up, and I know that Jackson was on the broadcast team at one of them. Maybe both.

I didn't hear the broadcast, of course, because I was at the game, and it was long before people could watch TV from handheld devices. But I knew he was there.

Among other things, Jackson is remembered for his colorful descriptions of people and things. He was the one who called the Rose Bowl "the granddaddy of them all." He dubbed Michigan's football stadium "The Big House."

His signature line was "Whoa, Nellie!" when something big happened. If I happened to be in the kitchen getting something to eat and I heard Jackson exclaim, "Whoa, Nellie!" I knew I needed to get back into the living room pronto because there was sure to be a replay of whatever it was.

And it was not to be missed.

It's been awhile since Jackson participated in a broadcast, but he still will be missed. And whenever I hear anyone say "Whoa, Nellie!" I know I will think of him.

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