Sad news today as the sports world had to say goodbye to the great Pat Summerall. Summerall passed away at the age of 82.

For me, Summerall was always a broadcaster. It was only very later on in my football fandom did I learn that he was a former placekicker and he was part of the Greatest Game Ever Played. That just added to his greatness for me as I grew up loving the NFL.

Summerall’s voice was so distinctive and so welcoming, I cherished the times where I would hear him call a game or even just do an opening introduction to a broadcast. Along with John Madden, those two were the greatest broadcast tag team I have ever known. I was truly lucky to have listened to them every Sunday.

Summerall was assigned the week’s top games every week and for me, I was lucky to have listened to him call many games because the 49ers were so good for so long. He spoiled me. I didn’t get stuck with the B or C-Team every week. For many Sunday, he was part of the A-Team. And to me, he was just a great voice to listen to. Nobody was better.

Having called a record 16 Super Bowl games, you knew that Summerall was in a class of his own. He called two of the 49ers’ five Super Bowl wins. He was simply amazing.

I’m very fortunate to have him call games of my favorite team so many times. He spoiled me and made me see football differently than any other broadcaster. I felt smarter listening to him. And that’s what he did for so many.

He was the best and he called the best. It was perfect.

Rest in Peace, Pat. Thank you.