Pat Summerall

Pat Summerall was an iconic American sportscaster and former professional football player, best known for his legendary broadcasting partnership with John Madden on CBS and FOX. His deep, resonant voice and economical, authoritative style made him the signature narrator for National Football League broadcasts for over four decades, including a record 16 Super Bowl telecasts. Summerall's career began as a placekicker and tight end in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Cardinals, before he transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he became one of the most respected figures in sports media.

Early life and playing career

Born George Allen Summerall in Lake City, Florida, he was a multi-sport standout at Columbia High School before attending the University of Arkansas. At Arkansas, Summerall played both college football for the Razorbac and college basketball. He was selected in the 1952 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, with whom he won an NFL championship in his rookie season. Summerall was later traded to the Chicago Cardinals, where he played from 1953 to 1957, primarily as a placekicker and occasional tight end. His most famous playing moment came in 1958, while with the New York Giants, when he kicked a 49-yard field goal in blizzard conditions against the Cleveland Browns to force a playoff, a feat famously called by broadcaster Chris Schenkel.

Broadcasting career

After retiring as a player, Summerall joined CBS Sports in 1960, initially working as a color commentator alongside Jack Buck and others. He gained national prominence as the play-by-play voice for the network's NFL on CBS coverage, forming a legendary partnership with analyst John Madden in 1981. The duo, known for their contrasting styles, became the premier broadcasting team for Super Bowls and NFC Championship Games throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In a landmark move in 1994, both Summerall and Madden moved to the upstart FOX network when it acquired the NFC television rights, helping establish FOX NFL as a major sports broadcasting entity. Summerall also had a prolific career beyond football, serving as the lead voice for CBS's coverage of The Masters and the PGA Tour for many years, and calling major events like the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

Legacy and honors

Pat Summerall is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential sportscasters in American history. His calm, minimalist delivery provided the perfect counterpoint to the exuberant analysis of John Madden, creating a broadcast template emulated for generations. He received numerous accolades, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. The football stadium at his alma mater, the University of Arkansas, was renamed Pat Summerall Field in 2006. His voice is preserved in the National Archives as part of American broadcasting history, and his work continues to be celebrated by institutions like the American Sportscasters Association.

Personal life and death

Summerall was married twice, first to Kathy Summerall and later to Cheryl Summerall. He was open about his past struggles with alcoholism, detailing his journey to sobriety in his autobiography. In his later years, he underwent a highly publicized liver transplant in 2004 at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston. Pat Summerall died on April 16, 2013, at a hospital in Dallas due to cardiac arrest, following surgery for a broken hip. His funeral was held at First Baptist Church of Dallas, and he was interred at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas. His passing was mourned across the sports world, with tributes from figures like Roger Goodell, Troy Aikman, and countless colleagues who revered his professionalism and iconic voice.

Category:American sportscasters Category:American football placekickers Category:1930 births Category:2013 deaths