After retiring from the national spotlight, one legendary broadcaster will enter the NBC booth during tonight’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Unlike on-field play, broadcasting can take a talent from their 20s to well past the time many consider retirement.
Remember, Vin Scully worked 67 years in the booth for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. The voices we hear and images we see stick with millions as they become soundtracks of fandom. Tonight, one such inimitable voice will grace the national airwaves again.
Brent Musburger Set to Join NBC Broadcast Booth During Chargers vs. Lions Game
Since the 1970s, national football audiences have known Musburger’s voice from the first few words. When the camera pans around and Musburger tells the viewers that they are “looking live,” the kickoff will soon occur. Through network changes and job shifts, the iconic voice has become a part of the football experience.
While he gained notoriety early in his career doing play-by-play, Musburger drew attention by stepping into the studio as host of “The NFL Today: on CBS. What we now know as the modern pregame show format began when Musburger was joined by former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Irv Cross, 1971 Miss America crown winner Phyllis George, and sports handicapper Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder.
Working back into college football in 1990, Musburger started calling games for ESPN/ABC. Millions remember his calls of all-time great plays. In 2017, he retired from the booth to pursue oddsmaking in Las Vegas. He inked a deal to broadcast Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders games a year and a half later. When his contract expired three years later, Musburger seemingly left the broadcast game for good. Now, he gets another moment in the spotlight.
During the second half of tonight’s game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers, sports fans of a certain age will hear Musburger’s voice, maybe for the last time, as he does what he became famous for: calling the actions and painting a verbal picture to support the visuals. While in town, the 86-year-old will receive the Rozelle Award from the NFL for those who have distinguished themselves in football coverage.
While tonight’s game might not feature the star players from either team, fans will definitely tune in to see the first NFL game since Super Bowl LIX, which was played on February 9.
Both the Chargers and the Lions are Super Bowl contenders, and tonight’s game is a big opportunity for some of the lesser-known players of each team to make an impact. Preseason performance is crucial for many players to make the final roster, and it will be interesting to see if Musburger gets an opportunity to call another special moment.
