Keith Jackson, recognized for decades as “the voice of college football” and one of the most distinguished alumni of Washington State University, died on Friday. He was 89.
For anyone reading this who is older than 20, Jackson was the soundtrack to your college football fandom while growing up and into adulthood. His Georgia roots, combined with a deference to the pageantry of game, produced a powerful, understated style that hasn’t been replicated since he retired from broadcasting in 2006 after 52 years — 40 of them at ABC Sports.
“Amplify, clarify, punctuate, and stay the hell out of the way,” he said of his approach.