He was perhaps my favorite sports anchor. We both had a defining moment of our lives on the same day. His finest moment was undoubtedly on Sept. 5, 1972 at Munich. Those of us old enough to remember will never forget his ability to go from sports reporter to newsman during that terrorist attack. I remember that day well. I became a father that day. One of the things that I really miss was that Wide World of Sports show. On it we got to know our olympic boxers, swimmers and track stars. Today, I couldn't tell you one boxer who has a chance to compete for the US in Aug. Sure there was Demolition Derby from Islip, Long Island, barrel jumping from Lake Placid, and lumberjack competitions from somewhere in the Northwest. Somehow, we watched and got into those competitions probably because the sports reporter covering them made them so interesting. He was a giant.
Couldn't agree more Gip....."the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". I remember looking forward to those shows every Saturday afternoon. Now we have Sports Center 24/7 and its just not the same.....there were not many like McKay.
RIP. Gip said it all. He and his peers, but especially he, set the standard that, sadly, so many of today's talking heads don't even come close to meeting.
Jim McKay <t>I couldn't agree with BuckeyeT more. Just mentioning his name or hearing his voice brings back memories of Sat afternoons and Wide World of Sports. Downhill skiing, barrel jumping, ski jumping etc.......oh yeah.. great memories.<br/> He was great.</t>
One of the things that I always liked about him was that he never disrespected the sport he was covering. Rodeo, demolition derby, etc., he treated them the same as the The Masters or the Rose Bowl. As much as I like Costas, their isn't anchor out there today that is in or ever will be in his class.
I remember spending many hours in front of the TV watching Jim McKay. He was a good one and will be missed.
sad <t>perhaps my first 'television memory' that I can recall was McKay and the Munich games. It afforded my father and McKay the chance to explain events to me that I should not be aware of at such an age. (I was 2 or 3). That guy always held a special place in my heart for perpaps that reason.<br/> <br/> He will be missed. Since his departure from the business, its as if sports reporting has gone from being the hometown country store that provided quality service to all to being the express mini-mart..<br/> <br/> Sad times.</t>