Gus Johnson (sportscaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gus Johnson
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Johnson in 2023
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Augustus Cornelius Johnson Jr.
1967/1968 (age 57–58) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Occupation | Sports commentator |
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| Sports commentary career | |
| Genre(s) | Play-by-play |
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Augustus Cornelius Johnson Jr. (born March 14, 1967) is an American sportscaster. He is famous for his exciting and energetic way of calling sports games. He works as the main play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports, where he covers college football and college basketball. He also calls some NBA Playoff games for NBA on TNT and NBA TV. Before joining Fox, he worked for CBS Sports.
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About Gus Johnson
Early Life and School
Gus Johnson was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, graduating in 1985. While there, he played baseball, basketball, and football.
After high school, Johnson attended Howard University. He played on the baseball team for all four years. In 1990, he earned a degree in political science. In 2022, Johnson also studied at Harvard University in a special leadership program.
Starting His Career
Johnson began his career calling many different sports. He was a play-by-play announcer for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves in the mid-1990s. He also called Big East basketball games.
He worked for ESPN, covering college hockey and college basketball. He also announced Canadian Football League games for ESPN2 and NFL games for CBS. Johnson even had a small role as an announcer in the 1998 movie He Got Game.
Major Sports Roles
Johnson called many sports events for CBS Sports. He was well-known for his work during March Madness from 1996 to 2011. Some memorable basketball games he called include UCLA's big comeback against Gonzaga in 2006. He also announced games for the Big Ten Network.
From 1994 to 2010, Johnson worked for the Madison Square Garden Network (MSG). There, he was a radio and backup TV announcer for the NBA's New York Knicks. He also called games for the WNBA's New York Liberty. Johnson hosted studio shows about the Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks. He even called some Milwaukee Bucks games and the first season of BIG3 basketball.
Johnson has also announced preseason NFL games for teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. He covered Golden Gloves boxing and Showtime Championship Boxing for Showtime. He was also a commentator for mixed martial arts events like EliteXC and Strikeforce.
You might have heard his voice in video games too! He was the play-by-play announcer in NCAA Basketball 10, Madden NFL 11, and Madden NFL 12.
In 2011, Johnson joined Fox Sports. He started calling college football and NFL games for them. In 2012, he also became the lead soccer play-by-play announcer for Fox Soccer. He called important matches like the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League finals.
More recently, Johnson has announced "select" NFL games for Fox Sports. He also worked as a play-by-play announcer for the first round of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 NBA Playoffs for TNT and NBA TV. He has also returned to MSG Network to fill in for Knicks games when other announcers are busy.
Gus Johnson's Announcing Style
Gus Johnson is known for his very energetic and exciting style. Some people think his excitement can sometimes take over the game. However, many others, like ESPN's Bill Simmons, say he "could make a chess match sound exciting."
Johnson has some famous phrases he uses, like "pure!" and "count it!" But he also knows when to be quiet. He sometimes pauses to let viewers enjoy a big moment, like when a game-winning field goal is kicked.
Famous Calls
Johnson has made many memorable calls throughout his career. Here are a few:
Basketball Calls
- March 23, 2006 – During the 2006 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Johnson called a Sweet 16 game between UCLA and Gonzaga. UCLA made an amazing comeback, stealing the ball and scoring in the final seconds to win. Johnson's excited call earned him the nickname "Screaming Gus Johnson."
- March 12, 2011 – In the 2011 Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament championship, Johnson called the game between University of Arizona and University of Washington. With the game tied, Washington's Isaiah Thomas hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer. Johnson's call was full of excitement: "Ahhhhh! At the buzzer! Young Zeke! And Washington wins it! On a last second J! Coooold blooded!"
- April 22, 2018 – Johnson called a thrilling NBA Playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. Khris Middleton hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game. Johnson's reaction was huge: "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! HE HIT IT! OHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHGHHH!! Khris Middleton! What a shot!"
- December 8, 2018 – In a college basketball game at Madison Square Garden, Keldon Johnson of Kentucky made a half-court shot at the buzzer to tie the game. Gus Johnson's call was: "OHH! HE BURIED IT! WOW! AND WE'RE – LEVEL AT 70! Whoo! Unbelievable. And we're going to overtime… at the Garden!"
Football Calls
- September 13, 2009 – Johnson called an NFL game where the Denver Broncos scored an unbelievable game-winning touchdown. A pass was tipped, but it landed in the hands of Brandon Stokley, who ran for 87 yards. Johnson shouted: "OH, CAUGHT! STOKLEY! DOWN THE SIDELINE! CAN HE CATCH HIM!? STOKLEY! WOW! Touchdown Denver! Unbelievable!"
- November 1, 2009 – In another NFL game, Johnson called a 52-yard touchdown run by Chris Johnson. His famous line was: "WOW! Watch out! He's got gettin' away from the cops speed! Touchdown!"
- November 14, 2010 – Johnson called a dramatic NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. With seconds left, a pass was tipped but miraculously caught by Mike Thomas for a 50-yard game-winning touchdown. Johnson's call was: "OHH! UNBELIEVABLE! MIKE THOMAS! TOUCHDOWN, JAGS! BALLGAME! FIFTY YARDS! WHOA!"
- September 19, 2021 – Johnson called an NFL game where the Minnesota Vikings missed a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. His reaction was: "OHHHHH MY GOODNESS, HE MISSED IT! UNBELIEVABLE! And the Cardinals survive...34-33! You're watching the NFL, folks! On F-O-X!"
- September 26, 2021 – Just a week later, Johnson called another incredible NFL play. A 68-yard field goal attempt was short, but Jamal Agnew of the Jacksonville Jaguars caught it in the end zone and ran it back 109 yards for a touchdown. Johnson's excited call was: "it's short! Agnew, brings it out of the end zone. Agnew...still running. AGNEW...DOWN THE SIDELINE! AGNEW! TOUCHDOWN, JACKSONVILLE! A hundred...and...nine...yards. INCREDIBLE!"
Soccer Calls
- May 11, 2013 – Johnson called the 2013 FA Cup final where Wigan Athletic upset Manchester City. When Ben Watson scored the winning goal in the last minute, Johnson shouted: "OH, BEN WATSON! OFF THE BENCH, WHAT A GOAL! Wigan take a 1-0 lead in the 90+1 minute of the FA Cup final, MIRACLE!"
- May 24, 2014 – Johnson called the 2014 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. When Sergio Ramos scored a game-tying goal in the 93rd minute to force overtime, Johnson yelled: "Headed down, AND IN!!! RAMOS AGAIN!!! AND WE'RE LEVEL!!! 93rd minute, Sergio Ramos!"
