Sports industry reacts to Brent Musburger announcement
Musburger, 77, will call his final game Jan. 31 on ESPN as the Kentucky Wildcats play host to the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena (9 p.m. ET). Musburger’s career was celebrated by his colleagues on ESPN’s airwaves, including Bob Ley and Jeremy Schaap on ESPN’s Outside The Lines (see video below).
Here’s a sampling of social media reaction, from peers inside and outside of ESPN as well as fans and sports institutions.
Gracie Blackburn contributed to this post.
Brent Musburger retiring from play-by-play absolutely breaks my heart. Say it ain't so.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 25, 2017
Thank you Mr Musburger for inspiring so many of us. Brent's voice always meant big time event. He always made those around him feel special.
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger is retiring at end of this month. Wonder who he's rooting for in the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/EIn4QhGuaR
— SI Vault (@si_vault) January 25, 2017
"You are looking live…!" Brent always brought u in. Only broadcaster left who does that as well is Kevin Harlan.
— Medium Happy (@jdubs88) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger is retiring in a week. 2017 is officially the worst year ever.
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) January 25, 2017
Retiring to Vegas to help family start sports handicapping business is the most Brent Musburger retirement ever https://t.co/c5IAOnZ9z3
— David Koscho (@DCBuckeye) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger retiring and moving to Vegas sounds exactly like you would expect the retirement story to be written.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) January 25, 2017
When you read Brent Musburger is retiring in a week: pic.twitter.com/vdpUEpblXL
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 25, 2017
Best wishes/congratulations to Brent Musburger on 1 of all time great careers in our business..says goodbye while still at top of his game
— Bob Wischusen (@espnbob) January 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/1410Aaron/status/824286603707379712
"plans to move to Las Vegas and help his family start a sports handicapping business"
You expected an alternate plan?
He is a legend. https://t.co/7dXancRjid
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger's second-to-last game will be this Saturday's OU-Florida game on ESPN. He'll call it alongside Dick Vitale at the LNC. https://t.co/JXCNhvFcyG
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) January 25, 2017
Amazing career coming to an end. I grew up watching Brent Musburger, who was our local sportscaster in Chicago. https://t.co/ggOSzsUKUJ
— Rod Smith (@RodKRCG13) January 25, 2017
All the best to the great Brent Musberger, one of those rare play-by-play men who elevated any game he called. Big-game Brent, indeed.
— David Caraviello (@dcaraviello) January 25, 2017
You are looking live at my prized possession. Congratulations to one of the all timers Brent Musberger as he retires pic.twitter.com/QF422uxWOv
— Bram Weinstein (@RealBramW) January 25, 2017
Appointment TV: Has had his hiccups over the past few years but he's a legend and was one of my favorites growing up. #musberger https://t.co/p1c4aE37rQ
— Seth Orensky (@sethorensky) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger going to retire on Jan 31 at the age of 77. One of the best to ever do it. Game always felt bigger with him on the call.
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) January 25, 2017
Fittingly, Brent Musburger’s quote in the statement about his retirement references drinking in Vegas: https://t.co/5jgZ2nWPMT pic.twitter.com/SBADwCTfIh
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 25, 2017
In honor of Brent Musburger's retirement, his greatest call of all time… HOLY BUCKEYE!#PayHOMAGE pic.twitter.com/jFyWiU0R1V
— HOMAGE (@HOMAGE) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger has been an inspiration to me in two of most important things in my life, sports tv production and sports wagering. Cheers!
— Andrew Smith (@DrewsView) January 25, 2017
Part of my childhood, watching Brent, Irv, Phyllis and The Greek on Sundays on CBS after church. No more "looking live." https://t.co/qlZr5btsOi
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger interviews Richard Nixon live on CBS circa 1989 (Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/x5jMOqKEgz
— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) January 25, 2017
“What a wonderful journey I have traveled with CBS and the Disney company,” said Musburger https://t.co/qTGzb6sVsl
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 25, 2017
For Halloween one year as a kid, I went as Brent Musburger. Headset and a blazer with a CBS patch.
He's the best and will be missed.
— Assistant to the Traveling Secretary of #BowlSzn (@CollinSherwin) January 25, 2017
Best example of Brent Musburger's greatness: he LOVED being at the game. Always fully engaged. Appreciate the example & friendship.
— Rece Davis (@ESPN_ReceDavis) January 25, 2017
Some of the best career memories I'll ever have have come while working w/Brent! Can't believe the final game is coming so soon #Musburger pic.twitter.com/flhDwSo18A
— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) January 25, 2017
Can't believe Brent's saying bye bye to the sports broadcasting as he is as good as ever/sitting next to him has been an honor ! #LEGEND
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 25, 2017
Before Cable, Brent Musburger created the role of studio Host. I tell young talent it's "presence" that's key w/Live events. Studio or game!
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) January 25, 2017
Have had a lot of cool moments in this dream job, but hearing how proud my dad was when he heard Musburger throw it to me at half was Top 5.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) January 25, 2017
Brent Musburger is a true legend. I wanted to be him and Howard Cosell when I was a kid. Plus, he was in Rocky II.https://t.co/KWm4C2qXGv
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) January 25, 2017
What a photo! Thank you Brent for everything, especially your contributions to @finebaum Friday. https://t.co/rwIgmzNvG8
— John Hayes (@JohnHayes730) January 25, 2017
When I think of a broadcaster who has been everywhere, it's Brent Musburger. Here poolside with Namath before Super Bowl III (black shirt) pic.twitter.com/sKuLpmdn6z
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 25, 2017
This is hard to wrap my mind around. Even harder to describe how wonderful the experience has been working with Brent. https://t.co/efTIcaiseF
— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) January 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/JessePalmerABC/status/824321099311804416
Sad to hear Brent stepping away from the booth-Always enjoyed listening to him call a big event-Was an honor to work 8 CFB seasons w/ him!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 25, 2017
Brent's voice defined (and still does define) "big game." I know Keith is that voice for many but for me, it's been Brent.
— Adam Amin (@adamamin) January 25, 2017
Keith, Verne, Vin, Dick Enberg and now Brent. Say it ain't so!!! #Musberger will be missed.
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) January 25, 2017
Wow. Brent's retiring. Honored to have spent 3 amazing seasons in @Big12Conference with him. An American treasure! https://t.co/8FNu4Nd31d
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 25, 2017
Sometimes you wonder if the person actually said the quote in the press release. I 100 percent believe Brent said this. pic.twitter.com/L1HVUGcjPY
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) January 25, 2017
Favorite Musburger memory: sitting in Ames, IA bar for NFL game (drinking milk) listening to Brent go back and forth with every bar patron.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 25, 2017
Broadcasting royalty….there goes another legend. https://t.co/TPoLmlB8J7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2017
I was working at ESPN Radio during 2002 World Cup. Brent called me to see who I liked…France vs. Senegal. Classic.
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) January 25, 2017
Verne Lundquist & Brent Musburger, 2 play-by-play gods retiring a month apart.
Feel like part of my youth is being stripped away! #Respect
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 25, 2017
College football is losing two legendary voices with both Verne and Brent stepping down. Will miss hearing both of them. They were unique.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 25, 2017
To have even 1/16th of the career of Brent Musburger would be a wonderful accomplishment for anyone. What a ride he had! https://t.co/IcjmlObVIp
— Kevin Kugler (@kevinkugler) January 25, 2017
Iconic voices bring life to iconic plays.
Thank you, Brent Musburger! pic.twitter.com/IX5cRGVILg
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB/status/824329232369250305
As Brent Musburger retires, we wish him well and thank him for voicing one of the greatest plays in college football history. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/KP9vlP6y70
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 25, 2017
"Frost to the middle…"
Chills to this day.
[tips cap to Brent Musburger] pic.twitter.com/RrMyuzBxAN— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) January 25, 2017
He gave us "You are looking live," and so much more.
Congrats to NU alum Brent Musburger on a legendary career. https://t.co/oSKJsR2JoY
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 25, 2017
Wishing Brent Musburger well as he retires from broadcasting. We might be biased, but this is our favorite call from Brent. pic.twitter.com/xoF9ZpOSmj
— BC Football (@BCFootball) January 25, 2017
