Legendary broadcaster Jackson, 89, dies

Longtime sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, the legendary voice who called the 16-inning 1986 National League Championship Series Game 6 contest between the Mets and Astros, passed away Friday night. He was 89.
A native of Roopville, Ga., Jackson was best known for calling college football games for more than 50 years before retiring in 2006. He was a fixture on baseball broadcasts, too, serving on the set of the 1977, '79 and '81 World Series, splitting play-by-play duties with partner Al Michaels.

"For generations of fans, Keith Jackson was college football," said Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "When you heard his voice, you knew it was a big game. Keith was a true gentleman and memorable presence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Turi Ann, and his family."

Jackson was a part of ABC's coverage for several Midsummer Classics and postseason matchups, including: the 1978, '80 and '82 MLB All-Star Games; the '80 NL Championship Series; the '76, '78, '80 and '82 American League Championship Series; the '81 AL Divison Series; and the '78 AL East tie-breaker game between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Jackson also called a number of Monday Night Baseball and other various regular season games for ABC throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.Jackson was awarded the Gold Medal Award by the National Football Foundation and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1999. He was inducted into the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame in '94, and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in '95.

A resident of California, Jackson passed away in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife, Turi Ann, three children, Melanie, Lindsey and Christopher, and three grandchildren, Ian, Holly and Spencer.