Curt Gowdy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Curt Gowdy
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Gowdy in the early 1950s.
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| Born |
Curtis Edward Gowdy
July 31, 1919 |
| Died | February 20, 2006 (aged 86) |
| Resting place | Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming, 1942 |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Spouse(s) | Jerre Dawkins (m. 1949–2006; his death) |
| Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter |
| Awards |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1943 |
Curtis Edward Gowdy (born July 31, 1919 – died February 20, 2006) was a famous American sportscaster. He was known for calling games for the Boston Red Sox on radio and TV for 15 years. Later, he covered many big national sports events, mainly for NBC Sports and ABC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s. He even came up with the famous nickname "The Granddaddy of Them All" for the Rose Bowl Game. This name was inspired by the Cheyenne Frontier Days in his home state of Wyoming.
Contents
Becoming a Sportscaster
Early Life and Education
Curt Gowdy was born in Green River, Wyoming. When he was six, his family moved to Cheyenne. In high school, he was a great basketball player and also showed an early interest in writing about sports for his school newspaper.
After high school, he went to the University of Wyoming. There, he played both basketball and tennis. He graduated in 1942 with a degree in business.
Military Service and First Broadcast
After college, Curt joined the army. He wanted to be a fighter pilot. However, an old sports injury to his back meant he had to leave the military in 1943.
In November 1943, while recovering, Curt got his first chance to broadcast. He called a high school football game from a wooden crate in very cold weather. He quickly realized he was good at broadcasting. He worked at a small radio station and a newspaper in Cheyenne. Later, he moved to Oklahoma City to broadcast college football and basketball games.
Joining the New York Yankees
Curt's unique broadcasting style caught the attention of bigger teams. In 1949, he got a chance to work with the New York Yankees. He learned a lot from the famous sportscaster Mel Allen during his two seasons there.
Family Life
In June 1949, Curt married Geraldine (Jerre) Dawkins. They had three children: Cheryl Ann, Curtis Edward Jr., and Trevor. His son, Curtis Jr., also became a sports producer.
Broadcasting for the Boston Red Sox
In April 1951, at age 31, Curt Gowdy became the main announcer for the Boston Red Sox. For the next 15 years, he called their games on radio and TV. During this time, he worked with other future broadcasting legends like Bob Murphy and Ned Martin.
Curt called some very memorable moments for the Red Sox. He was there when Ted Williams hit a home run in his very last time at bat in 1960. He also called Tony Conigliaro's first home run at Fenway Park in 1964. After the 1965 season, Curt left the Red Sox to work for NBC Sports.
A National Voice in Sports
Working with NBC Sports
From 1965, Curt Gowdy worked full-time for NBC. He became the main play-by-play announcer for both the American Football League (which became the AFC) and Major League Baseball. He covered so many different sports that people called him the "broadcaster of everything."
Curt covered a huge variety of events, including college football, college basketball, and even the Olympic Games. He worked with many different co-commentators during his time at NBC.
Famous Moments Curt Gowdy Called
Curt Gowdy was present for many of American sports' most famous moments. These include:
- Ted Williams' home run in his final at-bat in 1960.
- Super Bowl I, the very first Super Bowl game.
- The "Heidi Game" in 1968, a football game that ended dramatically.
- Super Bowl III in 1969, when Joe Namath and the New York Jets upset the Baltimore Colts.
- The longest game in pro football history on Christmas Day in 1971, between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
- Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" in 1972, one of football's most famous plays.
- Hank Aaron's 715th home run in 1974, breaking the all-time record.
Curt was known for his calm and clear way of describing the action. He didn't use flashy catchphrases but simply told viewers what was happening in an exciting way.
Hosting The American Sportsman
Besides calling live games, Curt Gowdy also hosted and produced a popular outdoor show called The American Sportsman on ABC. This show allowed him to share his love for hunting and fishing with viewers.
Later Career and Retirement
Curt's career began to slow down after The American Sportsman ended in 1985. He briefly returned to call games for the New England Patriots on radio in 1987. In 2003, when he was almost 84, he even called a Boston Red Sox–New York Yankees game for ESPN as part of a "Living Legends" series.
Film Appearances
Curt Gowdy also made small appearances in movies like The Naked Gun (1988) and Summer Catch (2001). His voice was also heard in other films.
Awards and Honors
Curt Gowdy received many awards throughout his career. In 1970, he was the first sportscaster to win the Peabody Award, a very important honor in broadcasting. He was named National Sportscaster of the Year twice.
He was inducted into many Halls of Fame, including:
- The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame (1981)
- The American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame (1985)
- The National Baseball Hall of Fame (receiving the Ford C. Frick Award in 1984)
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame (receiving the Pete Rozelle Award in 1993)
- The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame (2000)
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame even has an award named after him, the Curt Gowdy Media Award, given to great basketball writers and broadcasters.
Curt Gowdy State Park
In 1971, a state park in Wyoming was named after Curt Gowdy. This was a special honor for him in his home state. The Curt Gowdy State Park is a large area with lakes, hiking trails, camping, boating, and fishing. Curt loved the outdoors and said, "What greater honor can a man receive?"
In 2013, on what would have been his 94th birthday, the park opened a special center. It has exhibits about the park's history and Curt's efforts to protect nature.
Death and Legacy
Curt Gowdy passed away on February 20, 2006, at the age of 86, after a long illness. His funeral procession drove around Fenway Park, a place where he called so many memorable games. He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In 2006, the United States Postal Service building in his birthplace, Green River, Wyoming, was officially named the "Curt Gowdy Post Office Building" in his honor.
