Gene Peterson, a staple Houston Rockets radio broadcasts for more than three decades, died Wednesday. He was 83 years old.
Peterson spent 33 years as the Rockets' play-by-play voice, coining iconic phrases such as, "How sweet it is!" as he presided over a time period that included both of the team's NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Peterson and his longtime broadcast partner, Jim Foley, retired in 2008.
"Today, we say goodbye to my friend and broadcasting legend, Gene Peterson," Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said in a statement. "Gene devoted his life to the Rockets and brought passion and energy towards creating timeless memories for countless fans, including myself.