ESPN’s recent promotional barrage surrounding its 30th anniversary displayed how Chris Berman’s looks and wardrobe have changed through the years.
There was a thin, almost matinee idol-looking Berman in October 1979, when he joined the network as an overnight “SportsCenter” host.
Later, he sported a mustache.
Wardrobe?
One quick view showed the irrepressible Berman attired in a loud, patterned sports jacket that resembled an outfit of a TV clown personality.
“You don’t like that jacket?” Berman bellowed, in friendly style, on the telephone. “It’s an expensive Madras coat that’s still hanging in my closet.”
If Berman’s looks (he’s featured on a TV weight loss commercial) have changed during three decades, his broadcasting style and perspective haven’t.
“It’s still all about having fun,” Berman says.
“Sure, TV coverage and sports world issues have changed. But covering sports remains a blast for me. It’s still a game.”
Some contend that Berman’s ego often outweighs his talent.
But even his harshest critics admit that behind those “Bermanisms” (“he could go a-a-l-l the w-a-a-y”) and athletic nicknames (Bert “Be Home” Blyleven) lurks an agile mind, honed at Brown University, where Berman majored in American history.
He can quickly recall important sporting events in Colorado and Denver sports history as if he were a local broadcaster.
The nickname gimmick was formed when Berman, doing overnight “SportsCenter” reports, wanted to put some life into electronic box scores.
He later added to his list (now at 600) while covering major-league baseball.
The “a-a-l-l the w-a-a-y” commentary evolved while working with former Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson on their popular “Sunday NFL Countdown,” which begins its 24th season Sunday.
“Tommy is like a brother,” Berman says. “We know each other so well. We get the job done. We provide information and insight. And we have fun.”
Berman, Bill Ley, who joined ESPN two days after the Sept. 7, 1979, premiere, and John Saunders, who came aboard in 1986, hosted a retrospective special Sunday night that will be repeated various times today.
So how does Berman, 54, view his sportscasting future?
“I’ll be having fun for a few more years,” he said. Berman turned down past offers to join NBC Sports and become a TV announcer for the San Francisco Giants.
“I was tempted. But I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
Footnote.
When Berman joined ESPN, he replaced Wayne Hagin, who moved on to another broadcasting job. Hagin, of course, was part of the Rockies’ first KOA-AM announcing team, working with Jeff Kingery. Following a three-year stint broadcasting Cardinals games, Hagin two years ago became a radio voice of the Mets on WFAN-AM in New York.
TV views.
Couch potatoes viewing the first weekend of the college football season saw at least a half-dozen new booth announcers and studio commentators. Missing in action on ABC-ESPN were Doug Flutie and Paul Maguire, whose contracts weren’t picked up. This marks the first time in more than a decade Maguire hasn’t been broadcasting on the NFL or college football scene.
• CBS’ Lesley Visser added more to her impressive resume Thursday night, becoming the first woman to broadcast an NFL game on television. She provided analysis during the final quarter of Saints-Dolphins preseason contest on WFOR-TV, the CBS affiliate in Miami. Visser also was the first woman beat writer to cover an NFL team when working for The Boston Globe in 1976.
• The TV screen was filled Saturday with dozens of enthusiastic athletes celebrating victory on the football field. But none had the CBS drama that showed the emotional reactions of 17-year-old Melanie Oudin, who upset Maria Sharapova in the U.S. Open.
• ESPN Classic will air — 30 years to the minute — the initial ESPN “SportsCenter” segment at 5 p.m. today. The show, featuring Lee Leonard and George Grande, will be repeated throughout the evening.
Different drives.
Devout Broncos fans can easily recall John Elway’s touchdown pass to Mark Jackson against the Browns in Cleveland during “The Drive.”
Starting next Monday, they’ll be competitive broadcasters, assessing the weekly play of their former team.
Elway will be heard weekly at 8 a.m. on “The Insiders” on KEPN-AM 1600. Mile High Sports Radio (KCKK-AM-1510) will feature Jackson from 10 a.m.-noon on the “Mile High Club” segment.
