Thursday, April 27, 2006

The Voice Is Gone -- KEITH JACKSON Retires From Broadcasting

(From Sports Business Daily)

Legendary ABC college football announcer KEITH JACKSON is retiring after "declining offers from ESPN officials to keep him at ABC SPORTS," according to RICHARD SANDOMIR of
THE NEW YORK TIMES.

Jackson -- "I'm finished with play-by-play forever."

ESPN/ABC SPORTS Executive Vice President Studio/Remote Production NORBY WILLIAMSON said that Jackson was "offered a schedule similar to last year's," which was predominantly West Coast games.

Williamson -- "When he expressed to us that he was considering retirement, we repeatedly tried to convince him otherwise, but we completely respect his decision."

Jackson, 77, said that he "was feeling his age, had had skin problems and yesterday had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his forehead."

Jackson -- "This is the perfect time. I don't want to get back into the pressure-cooker of play-by-play and worry about travel. I don’t want to die in a stadium parking lot."

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