Charlie Jones(November 9, 1930 – June 12, 2008) was an American sportscaster forNBCandABC.
Charlie Jones | |
|---|---|
 Jones in the 1990s | |
| Born | November 9, 1930 |
| Died | June 12, 2008(aged 77) |
| Education | University of Southern Californiaundergraduate University of ArkansasLaw |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Spouse | Ann Jones (m. 1954) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editCharlie Jones was born inFort Smith, Arkansas.He earned an undergraduate degree at theUniversity of Southern California,where he was a tennis player, and a law degree at theUniversity of Arkansas.He also served two years in theU.S. Air Force.[1]
Broadcasting career
editAmerican Football League/National Football League
editJones began his sportscasting career at local television and radio stations in Fort Smith, before signing on as a broadcaster for the fledglingDallas Texansof theAmerican Football Leaguein1960.Jones also began calling AFL games forABCthat year.
In 1965, he moved to NBC, continuing to broadcast the AFL and later theNational Football League.He would work NFL games until1997,when NBC lost their NFL (AFC) broadcasting rights toCBS.Among Jones' notable broadcasts was in January 1993, when he covered theBuffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers Wild Card game,in which theBillsrallied from a 35–3 second half deficit to defeat theOilersin overtime 41–38.
Jones was the sideline reporter for NBC for the firstSuper Bowl(named the World Championship Game untilSuper Bowl III), where he interviewedBob Hopeat halftime andSuper Bowl IX.He was the radio play-by-play announcer for Super Bowl III.
In 1997, Jones was awarded thePro Football Hall of Fame'sPete RozelleRadio-Television Award. He also received anEmmy Awardin 1973 for his part as writer, producer and host of thedocumentaryIs Winning the Name of the Game?[2]
Other TV work
editDuring his time at NBC, Jones also broadcast the1988 Summer Olympicscalling the infamousBen Johnson-Carl Lewis100 meter dash,1986 FIFA World Cup,1991 Ryder Cup,1992 Summer Olympicsand1996 Summer Olympics,as well asMajor League Baseball,PGA Tourgolf, andWimbledontennis.
He was the announcer for auto races including the 1988Meadowlands Grand Prixand throughout the1998 Formula One World Championship.
He was the play-by-play announcer for the 1986college footballnational championship, wherePenn StatedefeatedMiami14–10 in the1987 Fiesta Bowl,and for the1993 'Game of the Century',where #2Notre Dameupset #1Florida State,31-24.
In 1999, he returned to ABC Sports to callcollege footballuntil the 2001 season.
He was also a play-by-play announcer for theCincinnati Redsin1973and1974(whenHank Aaronhit home run #714 to tieBabe Ruthon opening day),California Angelsin1990,andColorado Rockiesfrom1993to1995.
In the mid-1970s, he hostedAlmost Anything Goeswith Regis Philbin, The American Frontier with Merlin Olsen,andPro-Fan.
Jones, along withFrank Shorter,provided the voices of the TV announcers for a fictionalized staging of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials in the 1982 filmPersonal Best.
Personal life
editIn 2008, Jones died at the age of 77 at his home inLa Jolla, Californiaof aheart attack.
He and his wife, Ann, had two children, Chuck and Julie.[1]He is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2000), the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (2007) and the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame (2024).[3]
References
edit- ^ab"Honored sportscaster with versatile career".Los Angeles Times.June 14, 2008.
- ^"ABC Sports - Jones, Charlie".espn.
- ^"Announcer Charlie Jones, Fort Smith Native, Dies".arkansasbusiness.