This afternoon, Larry Munson, the legendary voice of the Georgia Bulldogs, has announced his retirement. It will be effective immediately and ends a 42 year career in the booth for Georgia.I don't care who you are or who you cheer for, if this doesn't stir a little emotion or nostalgia in you, you're just not a football fan. You can turn in your foam finger and replica jersey at the front desk on your way out.
It seems that Munson, who turns 86 this weekend, just doesn't have it in him any more. He stopped traveling to away games last season for health reasons and, although it wasn't expressly stated in the press release, I simply cannot imagine that anything short of physical inability would keep him out of the booth.
After all, does this call from the 1980 Georgia/Florida read like a man who could ever get tired of calling Georgia Football:
Buck back. Third down on the 8. In trouble. Got a block behind him. Going to throw on the run. Complete to the 25, to the 30. Lindsay Scott 35, 40. Lindsay Scott 45, 50, 45, 40. Run Lindsay! Twenty-five, 20, 15, 10, 5. Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Well, I don't believe it. 92 yards and Lindsay really got in a footrace, I broke my chair, I came right through a chair, a metal STEEL chair...Do you know what is gonna happen here tonight? And up at St. Simons, Jekyll Island, and all those places, where all those Dawg people have got those condominiums for four days...MAN, is there gonna be some property destroyed tonight!
Though this cliche will be oft-used in talking about Munson in the coming days, it truly is the end of an era.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-22-2008 @ 11:55PM
marshdawg said...
Get well soon, Larry Munson.
Our thoughts and prayers are for your recovery to better health. And thank you for everything.
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9-23-2008 @ 4:34AM
Chris said...
I live in GA and ocasionally listen to UGA football. I understand the guy is a legend and I'm sorry that he is ill but listening to him was a nightmare. He was not objective and he was a homer. He always said stuff like WE got the ball and on OUR Sideline and he would cheer players on in the middle of a play. Your time has passed Mr. Munson. You'll always be the third best Munson in sports...... THURMAN MUNSON, ROY MUNSON and then YOU. Get Well Brothah!!!
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9-23-2008 @ 6:58AM
LaLee said...
its called being a BULLDOG announcer...WE are gonna miss him, OUR stadium wont be the same without him.
9-23-2008 @ 8:28AM
jdawg said...
Munson is the best play by play announcer I've ever heard. He not only called the game but he painted such a vivid picture and captured the moment. Boy you "talk about the drama" there. Larry could always help you "get the picture". Even if the Dawgs had been on defense "for a thousand hours" and the
clock "wouldn't move" Larry kept pumping the emotion through the radio speaker. He might "break a steel chair" but he thrilled like a clap of thunder.
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9-23-2008 @ 10:11AM
Olaf said...
If there was ever room for a homer in broadcasting, it's college football. Honestly, I think we need more colorful, excitable homers in college football radio broadcasting. Nowadays they are all too plain and "professional." They're too scared of seeming improper. So what? Save professionalism for pro sports or TV broadcasts. If someone is the "Voice of (insert college here) football," then have at it.
Having grown up a Michigan fan, I was lucky to hear the voice and horn of Bob Ufer. There are times he may have got the call wrong, but the excitement or disappointment in his voice convey the type of school spirit you are supposed to have when it comes to college football.
Unfortunately, I have never had the pleasure to hear a game called by Larry Munson, but his like will be missed when he signs off.
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9-25-2008 @ 8:12AM
Jim Holmes said...
To the guy that says Larry is the third best Munson, I say you sir are an idiot. Even if you feel that way, why articulate it now? What good does it serve? Larry was and still is an icon! I love that guy.
9-24-2008 @ 3:13PM
Brent said...
Larry Munson was the third best Munson??? I DON'T THINK SO!! This right here explains all: I don't care who you are or who you cheer for, if this doesn't stir a little emotion or nostalgia in you, you're just not a football fan. I've listened to Munson all my life, and I'm a young 36. Others have been listening to him much longer. He simply is irreplaceable.
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9-24-2008 @ 9:49PM
Bob said...
One of the first lessons anybody leans about speaking to an audience (to include sportscasting) is that you must KNOW YOR AUDIENCE. Larry Munson knew exactly who was listening and the manner in which he called the game gave those dawg fans the ability to feel like there were at Sanford Stadium even though they may be hundreds of miles away. I first started listening to Larry Munson in 1979 while working as a dishwasher in a restaurant every saturday with some other dedicated bulldog fans. I can't describe just how good it was when two years ago I took by 13 year old son to Sanford Stadium for a game and saw how much he enjoyed not only being there for the game, but listening via his radio headset to Larry doing the play by play. To Larry Munson I say thanks for all the years of making me feel like I was there for the action even though I was miles away.
Go Dawgs
Bob (UGA Class of '86)
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9-25-2008 @ 3:49PM
Kent said...
I'm a Gator and simply put Larry Munson is the BEST! As painful as it may be to listen to on one hand hearing his call of "Run Lindsey Run" always brings a smile to my face. As for the "Homer" comment, you darn right he was a homer and he owes no one an apology for that!
Best Wishes Larry!
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