Jack Whitaker, whose Hall of Fame broadcast career varied from the Triple Crown Secretariat’s first Super Bowl to short essays of major sporting events, died Sunday morning, CBS reported.
The Whitaker Network died of natural causes in his sleep, in Devon, Pennsylvania. He was 95.
Whitaker, a native of Philadelphia, who was injured on Omaha Beach three days after the D-Day Invasion, began his broadcast career at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia and spent 22 years with CBS Sports. He worked for ABC from 1982 in sports news and divisions, and was part of the network of coverage of the Olympic Games in 1984 and 1988.
“I grew up watching him engage in contemplative and contextual prose, with his famous short essays, bringing class and dignity to his industry,” Jim Nantz, the head of CBS Sports announcer, said in a statement . “I spoke to him this week after the hospice came to his house, and his spirit was still brilliantly, turn right at the end. “
Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Sports caster Mr. Jack Whitaker at 33rd annual sports Emmy Awards in 2012.
Whitaker had been the only living play-by-play announcer from the first 21 Super Bowls.
CBS Sports President Sean McManus said Whitaker’s writing, the presence of air and humanity have been unmatched.
“His unique perspective on sports ranging from horse racing, golf, NFL football is extraordinary,” McManus said.