Brent Musburger

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Brent Woody Musburger (born May 26, 1939 in Portland, Oregon) is an American sportscaster for the ABC and ESPN television networks.

Early career

Educated at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Musburger began his career as a sportswriter for the now-defunct Chicago American newspaper. In his column in that paper, Musburger famously referred to Tommie Smith and John Carlos as "black-skinned storm troopers" for their protesting racial injustice in the United States by engaging in a Black Power salute on the medal stand during the 1968 Summer Olympics. Asked about his comments decades later, Musburger granted that his words, which likened Smith and Carlos to Nazis, were "a bit harsh", but he stood by the core of his criticism of the pair's action:

Did [Smith and Carlos' action] improve anything? . . . Smith and Carlos aside, I object to using the Olympic awards stand to make a political statement.

— Musburger, as quoted by The New York Times in 1999

Beginning in the late 1960s, Musburger worked in television, first for local stations in Chicago and Los Angeles.

CBS Sports

File:Musburgernbacbs.jpg
Brent prior to Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals.

Beginning in late 1973, Musburger was doing play-by-play for CBS Sports. He started out doing regular season National Football League games (future The NFL Today co-host Irv Cross was also doing NFL games at that time as well). Musburger was paired with Tommy Mason or Bart Starr, who provided the color commentary. A year later, Wayne Walker would be paired with Musburger in the booth.

By 1975, at CBS, Musburger went from doing the NFL play-by-play (and other items, mostly on CBS' Sports Saturday/Sunday programs) to rise to prominence as the host of the network's National Football League studio show, The NFL Today. Suddenly, Musburger began to cover many assignments for CBS Sports. Among the other events he covered, either as studio host or play-by-play announcer, were college football and basketball, the National Basketball Association (on CBS' NBA on CBS series), the U.S. Open (tennis) tournament, and The Masters golf tournament. He would even lend his talents to weekend afternoon fare such as The World's Strongest Man contests and the like. Musburger also called Major League Baseball games for CBS Radio.

See also: Major League Baseball on CBS Radio

But it was Musburger's association with The NFL Today that made him famous. During his tenure, the CBS' NFL pregame show was consistently the #1 rated pregame show. One of the signatures of the program was Musburger's show-opening teases to the various games CBS would cover, along with live images from the various stadiums. Musburger's accompanying intro to each visual, "You're looking live at..." became one of his catch phrases.

Musburger made headlines when he got into a fist-fight with The NFL Today's betting analyst Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder in a Manhattan bar in late 1980. Only two years earlier, the two had co-announced the 1978 World Series of Poker. However, the incident was quickly regarded as water under the bridge as the two cheerfully appeared on The NFL Today the following week wearing boxing gloves on camera.

By the late 1980s, Musburger was CBS' top sportscaster. He was now the main host to pretty much all the events that CBS Sports covered, the NBA Finals, the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, college football and others. He even hosted a New Year's Eve countdown for CBS.

CBS power shift

Early in 1990, there was a new regime who held the mantle of power at CBS. Internally, some of the upper echelon management started showing concern about Musburger gaining too much power at CBS, a claim however that Musburger had later stated stemmed from the other direction, that CBS was deluging him with too many assignments. Much of this came about when Musburger added CBS television's play-by-play duties of Major League Baseball to his resume.

Dismissal from CBS

During the early morning hours of April Fool's Day of 1990, Musburger was dismissed from CBS. His final assignment for CBS came the following evening, doing play-by-play for the 1990 NCAA men's basketball final, which was Duke versus UNLV. When the game was completed, Brent, on camera, thanked the audience and the many people at CBS Sports, and the analysts that he had worked with through the years like Billy Packer, who was standing next to Brent as he parlayed his swan song. He finished by saying

Folks, I've had the best seat in the house. Thanks for sharing it, I'll see you down the road.

Musburger would soon be replaced by Jack Buck for the baseball play-calling duties. His position at NFL Today was filled by Greg Gumbel

See also: Major League Baseball on CBS § 1990-1993 version

ABC Sports and ESPN

Following his dismissal from CBS, Musburger considered several offers - including one to return to Chicago and work at superstation WGN (who broadcasted Chicago Cubs games). Musburger ultimately settled at ABC. With Al Michaels (at the time) firmly entrenched as ABC's top broadcaster, Musburger would not fill that role. He would focus on events such as college football and basketball.

Soon afterwards, ABC's association with ESPN would allow him to now have two venues in which to work from, and since Brent's hiring by ABC in 1990[1], and the merger with ESPN in the late 1990s, Brent has called events as diverse as Major League Baseball, NBA games (on television and he also called some NBA Finals series during the late 1990s to the early 2000s for ESPN Radio, where he also from January 1993 to December 2003 hosted a 10-minute and later five-minute daily show called SportsBeat, which offered Brent's takes on current sports events around the globe), golf tournaments, the Indianapolis 500, Little League World Series, soccer games, college football (usually games involving teams from the Big Ten Conference.) and even some NFL games (including hosting halftime duties for Monday Night Football). Musburger has also covered the Tour de France for ABC.

2006

Brent Musburger departs the College GameDay bus in Austin, Texas.

Starting in 2006, Musburger has called ABC Sports' college football prime time series, along with analysts Bob Davie and Kirk Herbstreit. With the retirement of ABC icon Keith Jackson (back in January 2006), Musburger called (with Davie and Herbstreit providing the color) the 2007 Rose Bowl (Jackson had been doing the play-by-play for the Rose Bowl for many years prior on ABC).

After Al Michaels was hired by NBC in February 2006, Musburger could now be seen as the face of ABC Sports/ESPN on ABC, although he does not have nearly as many assignments as he did when he was employed by CBS. However, his importance at ESPN on ABC is still in evidence, as recently he was the main studio host during ABC's coverage of the 2006 World Cup, and was also named the studio host for ESPN and ABC's NASCAR coverage, which he will repeat in 2007.

On September 18, 2006, University of Southern California Sports Information Director Tim Tessalone sent a formal letter to ESPN and a copy to the Pacific Ten Conference complaining that Musburger revealed privileged information in his broadcast of the September 16, 2006, NCAA football game in which the USC Trojans hosted the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Musburger disclosed that he learned from a pre-game conversation with Trojans quarterback John David Booty a signal Booty uses to pass to receivers. USC claims this information was for private background purposes only.

What he did was unconscionable. In my 28 years, I've never seen such an egregious breach of trust. Brent is not a rookie at this, and he should know better,

said Tessalone. Within hours ESPN and Musburger both released a separate statement that they regretted the confusion. Musburger also appeared on ESPN Radio's Dan Patrick Show a few days later to discuss the incident, in which he said that there was never an intention of putting team secrets on the air. The sports world and media and fans have been divided regarding the incident.[2]

Style

Musburger has a down-home manner of speaking, often addressing his viewers as "folks" or "partner." However, when the moment arises, Brent can come up with classically intense statements filled with hyperbole and superlatives and interjections coupled with his perfect enunciation and speaking voice at a moment's notice, aurally delivered in a staccato he no doubt honed and crafted during his tenure as a television news anchorman in Los Angeles in the early 1970s.

In a Sports Illustrated profile done on Brent in January 1984 and written by William Taaffe, Brent had this to say about his craft and endeavour:

Not for one moment do I think I'm what's important. I'm the messenger. The games are what count. Without them there wouldn't be a Brent Musburger. If I started to pontificate they'd get tired of me in a hurry. I end up on that screen so much it'd drive them crazy if I started to do that. They'd start throwing empty beer cans at me.

CNN Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel selected him as the second-best college football announcer, behind Ron Franklin. Mandel said of Musburger,

His voice will always be associated with some of the sports' most memorable modern moments.

Calls and utterances

You are looking LIVE! (name of the stadium, arena, etc) (The opening to a broadcast accompanied by a view of the stadium or venue.)

The (insert team name) are coming out. (As a team runs onto the field before a game.)

Folks, this will be a dandy! (The opening to a broadcast hyping up the game.)

The Most Exciting 25 Seconds in College Football (in reference to Clemson University's rubbing Howard's Rock and running down The Hill)

They're in a footrace! (spoken during a football contest when someone is outrunning the defense in the endzone on their way to a touchdown.)

Won't start till it's touched, they'll have to throw it up, Gar Heard turnaround shot in the air.....IT'S GOOD!!! It's tied again! I don't believe it! Garfield Heard at the buzzer, threw one in outside, we've got a third overtime here in the Boston Garden!! (Brent reacting to the Phoenix Suns' Gar Heard's turnaround jumpshot at the buzzer to ensure a tie and force a third overtime in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 4, 1976, Boston Celtics versus Phoenix Suns.)

(Dick) Van Arsdale with a quick shot, it's a one point game again, just what Rick (Barry) predicted. (Paul) Westphal to the corner, back to Van Arsdale, (Curtis) Perry in the air! Won't Go! (John) Havlicek! Perry again! Perry with a jump shot....PUT IT DOWN!!! Phoenix has gone ahead!!! We've got 5 seconds, I don't believe it! I don't believe what I just saw down here! 110 to 109! I've got 5 seconds, that was incredible!!! Where did Westphal COME from???!!! (Brent's spectacular, frenzied call to a spectacular end of the 2nd overtime, in which Paul Westphal of the Phoenix Suns made a key steal in which Curtis Perry hit a jump shot, which gave Phoenix the one point lead, in the closing seconds of the 2nd overtime of the 1976 NBA Finals Game 5, in which the Phoenix Suns took on the Boston Celtics)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I want you to know this man...has a smile...that lights up a television screen from here (San Diego, California) to Bangor, Maine, his name is Magic Johnson and Magic, it's a delight to have you aboard in the NBA! (introducing the future Hall of Famer, who is about to make his debut on national television for the Los Angeles Lakers in late 1979.)

It's 89-84...Sixers and take it INSIDE, oh, unbelievable!!! Julius Erving underneath, he was trapped, and he still gets the field goal! Watch this FANTASTIC move by the Doctor! (Brent vocally exploding over the incredible circus shot baseline layup scoop by the Philadelphia 76ers Julius Erving during Game 4 of the 1980 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.)

Flutie flushed....throws it down....caught by Boston College!!! I don't believe it!!! It's a touchdown!!!... Phelan's at the bottom of that pile! (reacting to Doug Flutie's Hail Mary pass to win an improbable classic college football contest between Boston College and the University of Miami in 1984).

It's on its way . . . and its good! And now, with the number one ranking on the line in Iowa City, Rob Houghtlin hits a twenty-nine-yarder. And the young man from Glenview, IL, whose right foot sent the Hawkeyes to victory. And on the sideline, it's a Hallelujah for Coach Fry. And for Bo Schembechler, it's wait until next week. (calling Rob Houghtlin's game-winning field goal for the (at the time) #1 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes against the #2 ranked Michigan Wolverines played in 1985 in Iowa City).

Villanova has done it! (after Villanova stunned Georgetown, 66-64, to win the 1985 NCAA Basketball Championship Game)

And now we serve up a warning to Indiana and UNLV. (after top-seeded North Carolina lost to Syracuse in the 1987 East Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament; North Carolina was the second top-seeded team to lose on that day of tournament action, while Indiana and UNLV, two other No. 1 seeds, were scheduled to play the following day)

Indiana wins the national championship. Keith Smart is the hero! (after Indiana's 74-73 victory over Syracuse in the 1987 NCAA Basketball Championship Game)

You are watching what greatness, is all about. (championing the superb performance of Larry Bird during the last few minutes of the 4th quarter in a tense Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, in which the Boston Celtics played the Atlanta Hawks.)

With Billy Packer and Magic Johnson, I'm Brent Musburger. (during a timeout late in the 1989 NCAA Basketball Championship Game between Michigan and Seton Hall, after CBS cameras found Magic Johnson in the crowd)

And Carolina WINS it! Carolina upsets OU! (Brent's rousing call of eighth-seeded North Carolina's shocking upset of top-seeded Oklahoma in the second round of the 1990 NCAA Tournament)

No balls and a strike to Martinez......Line Drive...We are tied! Griffey....is coming around...in the corner's Bernie (Williams), he's gonna try to score....here's the division championship! Mariners win it! Mariners win it! (1995, New York Yankees versus Seattle Mariners Division Series Game 5 extra inning thriller after Seattle's Edgar Martinez doubled and Ken Griffey, Jr. scored the winning run from first base.)

Plummer, in trouble, steps away, cuts free, breaks loose, FIVE, TOUCHDOWN, SUN DEVILS!!! The Snake, does it again! This team won't die!! You can cut a snake's head off, but he continues to live! (Brent acknowledges the incredible football prowess of Arizona State University's quarterback Jake "The Snake" Plummer during the 1997 Rose Bowl.)

Third Down. Frost...over the middle...juggled...diving...TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA! DAVISON ON THE DEFLECTION! (On the call of the "Miracle in Missouri" (also known as the Immaculate Reception II) between Nebraska and Missouri in 1997)

THE BABY BOMBERS! Some say he's sixteen, I say they're just jealous. (A reference to the Scandal-involved Bronx team of the Little League World Series, more notably a reference to Danny Almonte, who actually at the moment was 14)

Could be up to the offensive line? No, Krenzel's going to throw for it! Got to get it off! They go for the ball game...TOUCHDOWN!! TOUCHDOWN!! MICHAEL JENKINS!! ON 4TH & 1! WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT! CRAIG KRENZEL STRIKES... WITH A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT! HOLY BUCKEYE! (From the 2002 Ohio State-Purdue Game. On a 4th-and-1 play, Ohio State Quarterback Craig Krenzel throws a game winning 37 yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins with about a minute-and-a-half left in the game. This was a stunning play because conventional thinking would have had Krenzel attempt either a Rollout Play or a Quarterback Sneak with that much time left. Because of Brent's call, this play is nicknamed "Holy Buckeye" by many Ohio State Fans.)

15,000 young red-blooded American men just signed up to go to Florida State next semester. (reacting to a 2-second shot of Jenn Sterger and her two scantily clad football fan friends during the 2005 FSU-Miami game.)

...Henne is hit, ball loose, it's gonna be ruled a fumble...picked up, Peko's got it! Down the sideline! The big fella from Samoa lumbling for a tying touchdown...Take it home! Big fella does it! Yeah, the big fella! (The call from the 2005 contest between Michigan State and Michigan when defensive lineman Domata Peko returned a Chad Henne fumble 75 yards for a touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter.)

He's got a lot of time... throws into the endzone... caught?! TOUCHDOWN TEXAS!! Oh what a great play for the Horns! (From the first ever meeting between Texas and Ohio State, 2005. Texas was down by 6 points with 2 minutes left in the game.)

There's A.J. Hawk and in case you were not with us at the top of the day, his girlfriend is Brady Quinn, the Notre Dame quarterback's sister, Laura, who's here today, and we asked A.J. how'd this romance get started...There she is and half of that jersey Notre Dame colors and half Ohio State, and I think she's pulling for little brother to get something going here, make a contest out of it. Here comes A.J. closing in on him! GOT HIM! A.J. Hawk has just sacked his future brother-in-law and the future bride is saying 'Oh, don't hurt baby brother.' But then again, that was A.J. (From the 2006 Fiesta Bowl)

Colt McCoy! He's the real McCoy. Born in New Mexico, his daddy put Texas soil under his head in the crib, and he's been a Texan ever since.(When talking about current Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy.)

"I'm not kidding. Here it is from out behind on the western side of this beautiful stadium (camera pans to show the stadium from hovering blimp.) Now some of these trees have to come down. There's thirteen teams that have to be housed in here. The University has promised, PROMISED, to plant three trees for every one they cut down. Two saplings, and one mature tree. THREE FOR ONE IS A VERY GOOD DEAL IF YOU'RE A TREE-HUGGER!" (Responding to reports of Berkeley students protesting the cutting down of trees to make way for a training facility adjacent to the stadium.)

Welcome back to crunch time at the Daytona International Speedway]]! (Brent Musburger during the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona on ESPN2.)

Trivia

  • An action figure of Musburger was released on November 2006, as part of the Rocky II series of figures.
  • Musburger was an umpire for minor league baseball teams during the 1950s.
  • Musburger worked alongside Connie Chung during his tenure doing local Los Angeles newscasts during the early 1970s.
  • Musburger's brother, Todd Musburger, is considered one of the top sports agents in the business.
  • Some of the phrases and words Musburger often uses are included in The Brent Musburger Drinking Game.[3]

References

  1. ^ After being fired from CBS, Brent Musburger lands a high-profile job at ABC and a lucrative contract
  2. ^ msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story
  3. ^ The Brent Musburger Drinking Game
  • Sandomir, Richard "TV SPORTS; Now on Film: Raised Fists And the Yogi Love Letters", New York Times, 6 Aug. 1999
Preceded by The NFL Today host
1975-1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Play-by-Play announcer, NBA Finals
1975-1980 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Play-by-Play announcer, NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four
1985-1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Play-by-Play announcer, Rose Bowl
2007-Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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