Voice of college football Keith Jackson dies aged 89 

The voice of college football for generations, Keith Jackson, died late Friday night aged 89.

The ABC Sports broadcaster spent more than 50 years from 1952 giving his unique commentary to the play-by-play work until his retirement in 2006. He was with ABC for 40 of those years.

Tributes poured in for the sportscaster. 

Jackson seen during a 1999 broadcast

The ABC Sports broadcaster spent more than 50 years from 1952 giving his unique commentary to the play-by-play work until his retirement in 2006. He was with ABC for 40 of those years. He is pictured left in 2014 and, right, during a broadcast in 1999

Houston Texans' JJ Watt‏ tweeted: 'THE voice of college football and one of the most iconic voices of all time, RIP Keith Jackson. Thank you for all of the incredible Saturday’s'

Houston Texans’ JJ Watt‏ tweeted: ‘THE voice of college football and one of the most iconic voices of all time, RIP Keith Jackson. Thank you for all of the incredible Saturday’s’

Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger said: ‘For generations of fans, Keith Jackson was college football.

‘When you heard his voice, you knew it was a big game. Keith was a true gentleman and a memorable presence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Turi Ann, and his family.’

Houston Texans’ JJ Watt‏ tweeted: ‘THE voice of college football and one of the most iconic voices of all time, RIP Keith Jackson. Thank you for all of the incredible Saturday’s.’

Before he retired Jackson told the New York Times ‘I’m 77 and I feel it’. he said that on-air mistakes had started to creep up on him so it was time to stop.

Throwback: 1970 NY Jets vs. Cleveland Browns game. Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson and Don Meredith (l-r) called the game action

Throwback: 1970 NY Jets vs. Cleveland Browns game. Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson and Don Meredith (l-r) called the game action

Jackson, known for his ‘Whoa, Nellie’ call and folksy delivery, broadcast 15 Rose Bowls.

He also broadcast MLB and NBA games along with the Olympics, gaining him entrance into the American Sportscasters Association and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Halls of Fame.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk