Gene Deckerhoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emerson Eugene Deckerhoff
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| Born | May 2, 1945 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Florida |
| Known for | Voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Voice of the Florida State Seminoles |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Deckerhoff |
| Children | 3 children, 6 grandchildren |
Emerson Eugene Deckerhoff Jr. (born May 2, 1945), known as Gene Deckerhoff, is a famous American sports announcer. He is best known as the exciting radio voice for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been calling their games since 1989.
Gene Deckerhoff was also the longtime voice for the Florida State Seminoles sports teams. He announced games for their football, men's basketball, and baseball teams. He stopped broadcasting for FSU after the football team's spring game in 2022. Besides these, he has also announced games for other sports leagues and even voiced characters in popular video games like Madden NFL.
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Gene Deckerhoff's Career Highlights
Gene Deckerhoff has had a long and exciting career in sports broadcasting. He is known for his energetic style and memorable calls during games.
Early Broadcasting Days
Before focusing on the Buccaneers and Seminoles, Gene Deckerhoff hosted a weekly TV show. This show was called "The Bobby Bowden Show" and featured the former FSU head coach, Bobby Bowden. They would talk about the previous day's football game. The show often included a segment with actor Burt Reynolds, who used to play football for the Seminoles.
Calling Games for Two Teams
From 1989 until 2022, Gene Deckerhoff worked for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida State Seminoles at the same time. This meant he was very busy, especially during football season. He and his wife would travel between Tallahassee (where FSU is) and Tampa (where the Buccaneers play) when both teams had home games.
Famous Game Calls
Gene Deckerhoff is famous for his exciting calls during games. When the Buccaneers score a touchdown, he loudly shouts, "Touchdown, Tampa Bay!" During home games at Raymond James Stadium, he also adds, "Fire the cannons!" This is a special shout-out to the cannons that fire off after every touchdown at the stadium.
Awards and Recognition
Gene Deckerhoff has been recognized for his amazing career. In 2000, he was welcomed into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Two years later, in 2002, he was also inducted into the Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame. Even though he went to the University of Florida, he once famously said, "I'm not a Gator - Period." This showed his strong loyalty to the Florida State Seminoles.
