Legendary CBS Sportscaster Anthony William “Billy” Packer is dead at 82. The veteran broadcaster became prominent for his expert announcement at college basketball games.
The Loss Of A Legend
Packer’s family broke the sad news via a tweet yesterday, Jan. 26, saying their amazing father passed away but they rejoiced in the hope that he reunited with his late wife, Barb.
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His Final Days
His son, Mark, who made the tweet, spoke to The Associated Press about the circumstances of his father’s death, saying he struggled with his health in his final days.
He Suffered Kidney Failure
Per New York Post , Packer spent the last three weeks in a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital following some medical complications. The medics ruled his cause of death as kidney failure.
Early Career Days
Packer had a robust career starting in 1972, where he broadcasted locally in Raleigh, N.C., before going national with NBC for three years starting in 1974. By 1981, the sports announcer switched to CBS.
Becoming A Household Name
In 1979, Packer joined Al MacGuire and Dick Enberg in the announce crew for Michigan State. It’s the most-watched basketball game in history, with over 35 million followers, thanks to Magic Johnson.
Winning His Emmy
By 1993, he received his first Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Analyst.
March Madness And The Final Four
In the early 2000s, Packer was a primary analyst for CBS until 2008, when he joined Final Four. His son, Mark, said Packer enjoyed his time on Final Four, especially predicting the outcomes. Per N.Y. Post , the analyst never missed an NCAA men’s basketball final call from 1975 – 2008.
Lasting Impact On College Basketball
Packer’s impact on college basketball is lasting, especially since he took off with the legendary Michigan State vs Indiana State tournament, a.k.a. Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird.
Billy Packer Is College Basketball
CBS Sports chairman, Sean McManus, said you couldn’t talk about college basketball in America without mentioning Packer. He popularized the game and became the signature voice of the NCAA tournament.
Missed By All
McManus said the entire CBS Sports team would miss Packer alongside his family because he was a good person all around.
His Memoir
Packer immortalized his knowledge in several memoirs including Hoops: Confessions of a College Basketball Analyst written in 1985.
Squashing Controversies With Grace
Packer wasn’t without controversy during his career as an analyst but he handled them all with grace which endeared him to the fans.
Broadcasting Wasn’t In The Cards
Despite his successful career in broadcasting Packer once said it wasn’t his dream. He did a stint in coaching before becoming an analyst and it stuck.
The World Of Basketball Grieves
His former partners are also grieving his loss as his impact extended beyond professional.
