Pat Summerall funeral, Veteran sportscaster Pat Summerall was remembered Saturday during a memorial service as "the voice of the NFL'' and a venerated figure who maintained a humble approach despite the praise his broadcast work received for decades.
Thousands gathered Saturday at a Baptist church just north of Dallas to pay tribute to a broadcaster who called some of the most memorable games in NFL history, and also was known for his coverage of Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the Masters golf tournament and other sporting events.
The former NFL kicker died Tuesday at age 82 of cardiac arrest at a Dallas hospital.
With his deep, resonant voice, Summerall called 16 Super Bowls and was the primary television play-by-play voice of the NFL.
Former NFL analyst John Madden said Saturday that his broadcast partner's steady presence made Summerall the voice of the league. Madden, once a fiery NFL coach, was seen by many as the storm alongside Summerall's calm. The two teamed for 22 years covering games for CBS and then more briefly for Fox.
"I got up this morning and I thought, `Pat, I need you,''' Madden told the mourners. "I couldn't get the tie straightened, a button buttoned. It was the same old thing.''
Madden described his first year with Summerall in the broadcast booth in 1981 as riddled with confusion as the former coach struggled with the craft and fumbled with headsets and other equipment. But Summerall "didn't look down on me,'' he said.
"He didn't tell you he'd pull you through, he just damn did it,'' Madden said.
After talking at length, Madden looked upward.
"I know Pat's up there saying, `brevity, brevity, brevity.' But just one more time I'm going to talk over you,'' Madden said, before reminding the audience of the deep faith Summerall developed in his later years.
One of Summerall's sons, Kyle, said his father had battled alcoholism for years but with the help of his faith had kicked it aside.
Summerall often shared his testimony with Christian groups and told his story when speaking before other organizations. In his 2006 book, "Summerall: On and Off The Air,'' he frankly discussed his personal struggles and professional successes.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130420/summerall-funeral.ap/#ixzz2R35gwElb
Thousands gathered Saturday at a Baptist church just north of Dallas to pay tribute to a broadcaster who called some of the most memorable games in NFL history, and also was known for his coverage of Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the Masters golf tournament and other sporting events.
The former NFL kicker died Tuesday at age 82 of cardiac arrest at a Dallas hospital.
With his deep, resonant voice, Summerall called 16 Super Bowls and was the primary television play-by-play voice of the NFL.
Former NFL analyst John Madden said Saturday that his broadcast partner's steady presence made Summerall the voice of the league. Madden, once a fiery NFL coach, was seen by many as the storm alongside Summerall's calm. The two teamed for 22 years covering games for CBS and then more briefly for Fox.
"I got up this morning and I thought, `Pat, I need you,''' Madden told the mourners. "I couldn't get the tie straightened, a button buttoned. It was the same old thing.''
Madden described his first year with Summerall in the broadcast booth in 1981 as riddled with confusion as the former coach struggled with the craft and fumbled with headsets and other equipment. But Summerall "didn't look down on me,'' he said.
"He didn't tell you he'd pull you through, he just damn did it,'' Madden said.
After talking at length, Madden looked upward.
"I know Pat's up there saying, `brevity, brevity, brevity.' But just one more time I'm going to talk over you,'' Madden said, before reminding the audience of the deep faith Summerall developed in his later years.
One of Summerall's sons, Kyle, said his father had battled alcoholism for years but with the help of his faith had kicked it aside.
Summerall often shared his testimony with Christian groups and told his story when speaking before other organizations. In his 2006 book, "Summerall: On and Off The Air,'' he frankly discussed his personal struggles and professional successes.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130420/summerall-funeral.ap/#ixzz2R35gwElb
