The report ESPN could be trying to swing a trade with NBC for Al Michaels inspired thought on who have been the most valuable broadcasters to call NFL games. This would be play-by-play and game analysts. Not studio people who weigh in from afar.
15. Jim Nantz
Jim Nantz has been the voice of CBS for the Final Four, golf and the NFL for many years. He’s smooth on play-by-play. However, don’t think there is an iconic call or any one NFL moment that leaps off the mic.
14. Frank Gifford
The man who kept things under control in the Monday Night Football booth with Don Meredith and Howard Cosell. This trio was integral in transcending the NFL and sports into the entertainment and mainstream platforms.
13. Lesley Visser
A pioneer in many ways for women in sports. Lesley Visser went from newspaper reporter into television, opening the way for many to follow. . Visser was the first female NFL analyst on TV. In 1992, she became the first and only woman to handle the Super Bowl trophy presentation. Aftr CBS lost television rights to NFL games in 1993, Visser went to ABC Sports and ESPN. In 1995, she became the first woman to report from the sidelines during a Super Bowl when she covered Super Bowl XXIX. In 1998, she became the first woman assigned to Monday Night Football.
12. Curt Gowdy
A legendary voice for decade after decade, Curt Gowdy Gowdy was the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC for both the American Football League (AFC from 1970 on) and MLB. Gowdy was present for some of American sports’ storied moments, including Super Bowl I, the AFL’s infamous “Heidi” game of 1968, and Super Bowl III in which Joe Namath and the New York Jets defeated the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. Two years later in Super Bowl V, Gowdy called the dramatic 16–13 Colts’ win over Dallas. The next year in 1971, Gowdy’s telecast on NBC caused many a Christmas dinner to be delayed as the country locked in that Christmas Day to the longest game in pro football history when the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27–24 in the final game at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium. He also covered Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” of 1972, and Clarence Davis’ miraculous catch in a “sea of hands” from Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, to defeat the Miami Dolphins in the final seconds of a legendary 1974 AFC playoff game.
11. Vin Scully
The name is synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers and class and elegance in broadcasting. However, don’t forget Scully called NFL games, ending that part of his brilliant career by broadcasting Dwight Clark’s famed “The Catch” when the San Francisco 49ers stunned the Dallas Cowboys in January of 1982.
10. Tom Brookshier
Tom Brookshier worked with Pat Summerall for CBS. The two former NFL players became a popular broadcasting tandem. Describing their on-air rapport, Summerall once said said, “With Brookie, it was more of a conversation, like two guys in a saloon.” Besides many regular-season and playoff contests, the duo called Super Bowls. Was also part of a weird post-Super Bowl VI moment when he interviewed enigmatic Dallas Cowboys RB Duane Thomas, who responded “Evidently.”
9. Dick Enberg
Another of the oldies but goodies when it came to play-by-play. Dick Enberg and his signature “Oh, my” call was at good as it gets for decades. Enberg had legendary calls in baseball, football, golf, tennis and the Olympics. Who can forget his voice when Earnest Byner lost the ball for the Browns in the 1987 AFC Championship?
8. Ray Scott
Another voice that will never be duplicated. Ray Scott (pictured, left) broadcast Super Bowl I and II for CBS, along with the “Ice Bowl” NFL championship game of 1967. In 1968, CBS ended its practice of assigning dedicated announcing crews to particular teams. Scott became the play-by-play announcer on CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team. He partnered with Pat Summerall from 1970-73. During his tenure with CBS he called four Super Bowls, seven NFL (later NFC) championship games, and the 1961 Orange Bowl; he also called major college bowl games for ABC and NBC during this period. He worked with Jack Buck on the Ice Bowl.
7. Al Michaels
An absolute gem in the booth. He has called Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football. Of course, is synonymous with “Do you believe in miracles?” the call when the U.S. downed the USSR in the 1980 Olympics.
6. Joe Buck
If there is a great call that has to be made, Joe Buck will make it. Almost impossible to believe the grief FOX’s lead voice gets. He’s knowledgable, doesn’t overdo and knows exactly when to raise his voice to let the audience know it has witnessed something special. A special tag-team with analyst Troy Aikman. Got great genes from his dad Jack Buck, who was a wonderful voice on St. Louis Cardinals baseball games and NFL broadcasts for years.
5. Tony Romo
The main reason why Tony Romo takes a place in the Top Five is the gargantuan contract he received from CBS last week. He’s been a wonderful listen for three seasons but that is not a long enough period to trump other voices and careers. However, 10 years and $180 million from CBS will change the negotiating dynamic for analysts and play-by-play guys. They won’t get anywhere near as much but he certainly has raised the bar.
4. Don Meredith
Part of the charm of the Monday Night Football booth with Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell was former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith. The trio had the perfect blend. Gifford told it as it was. Cosell opined and Meredith entertained in a charming way. He was known for singing “Turn out the lights, the party’s over” (a line from a Willie Nelson song, “The Party’s Over”) when a game had been decided. Fantastic stuff and totally natural. You can’t teach that kind of chemistry.
2b. John Madden
One of the best coaches in NFL history left the sidelines at a young age and became one of the best analysts in the game. Working with Pat Summerall, John Madden delivered insight and information in a unique and charming style that won’t be duplicated.
2a. Pat Summerall
Not copping out here by putting Pat Summerall in a tie with John Madden. For 22 years they formed the team that set the bar in broadcasting. Summerall called 16 Super Bowls and brought his knowledge as a player to the booth and knew how to get the best out of his partners. He also shared space with Tom Brookshier, who also has a home on this list.
1. Howard Cosell
As polarizing as he was intelligent and entertaining. The broadcasters for generations following Howard Cosell have the ABC legend to thank for many of the paths that have been opened. He had plenty of opinions and wasn’t afraid to share them. One of a kind.
