Sports Broadcaster. He had a fifty-year television sports broadcasting career covering such sports as football, baseball, boxing and Olympic games. For thirty years, he called collegiate football games with ABC and will be remembered for his catchphrase "Whoa, Nellie." Additionally, he was a fixture on the TV program "ABC's Wide World of Sports." Born and raised in Georgia, he became a fan of sports during his youth and following service with the United States Marine Corps, he studied at Washington State University. During this period, he initiated his broadcasting career as he called a football contest between Washington State and Stanford University (1952). After obtaining his degree in speech and communications, he worked for a decade at a radio station in Seattle. In 1964, he was hired by the ABC network, and two years later he called his first college football game. It would not take long for TV audiences to become accustomed to Jackson's simple, yet distinguishable style of announcing. In 1965, he joined the team of sports commentators for the TV series "ABC's Wide World of Sports" and remained a regular presence until 1979. Jackson was part of the broadcast team for the first season of "Monday Night Football" (1970). He retired following his announcing of the Rose Bowl in 2006.
Sports Broadcaster. He had a fifty-year television sports broadcasting career covering such sports as football, baseball, boxing and Olympic games. For thirty years, he called collegiate football games with ABC and will be remembered for his catchphrase "Whoa, Nellie." Additionally, he was a fixture on the TV program "ABC's Wide World of Sports." Born and raised in Georgia, he became a fan of sports during his youth and following service with the United States Marine Corps, he studied at Washington State University. During this period, he initiated his broadcasting career as he called a football contest between Washington State and Stanford University (1952). After obtaining his degree in speech and communications, he worked for a decade at a radio station in Seattle. In 1964, he was hired by the ABC network, and two years later he called his first college football game. It would not take long for TV audiences to become accustomed to Jackson's simple, yet distinguishable style of announcing. In 1965, he joined the team of sports commentators for the TV series "ABC's Wide World of Sports" and remained a regular presence until 1979. Jackson was part of the broadcast team for the first season of "Monday Night Football" (1970). He retired following his announcing of the Rose Bowl in 2006.
Bio by: C.S.
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