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Keith Jackson, legendary voice of college football, dead at 89

Keith Jackson’s classic calls 

Check out some of the most classic calls of Keith Jackson’s career.

Keith Jackson, legendary voice of college football, dead at 89 by Andy Clayton 

KeithJackson 2Keith Jackson, the voice of college football for more than a half-century, has died. The ABC Sports broadcasting legend was 89.

Jackson, forever remembered for his signature “Whoa, Nellie” call and folksy delivery, died Friday night.

He was surrounded by his family, according to NBC Sports’ Todd Harris, who first reported Jackson’s death.

“The voice of college football and so much more has left us,” Harris wrote on Twitter Saturday morning. “Truly one of the greats in the broadcasting industry. I am grateful for my time with a true legend. Thank you for the lessons KJ.”

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Keith Jackson (r.), seen here in 1998 with broadcast partner Bob Griese, died Friday night at age 89. (IDA MAE ASTUTE/ABC)

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said Jackson “was college football” for generations of fans.

Jackson spent 56 years broadcasting college football, including 15 Rose Bowls. His final game before he retired was the 2006 thriller between USC and Texas in Pasadena. It was Jackson who proclaimed the Rose Bowl “The Grandaddy of Them All.” The stadiums TV and radio booths were renamed “The Keith Jackson Broadcast Center” in 2005. To read more go to the link below:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/keith-jackson-legendary-voice-college-football-dead-89-article-1.3754736

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