Kevin Harlan facts for kids

Kevin Robert Harlan (born June 21, 1960) is a famous American sports announcer. He calls games on both television and radio. His father, Bob Harlan, used to be the President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers.

Kevin Harlan is known for broadcasting NFL games for CBS. He also calls NBA games for TNT. He has been doing NFL play-by-play for 40 years in a row. He has also called NBA games for 38 years.

He is the main radio voice for the NFL across the country for Westwood One. He has called Monday Night Football since 2009. Kevin Harlan has broadcast 14 Super Bowls in a row on the radio. This is a record for radio or TV. He is one of the top announcers in history. He has called over 500 NFL games on TV.

Before 2008, Harlan called the Final Four for Westwood One Radio. In 2009, he became the main announcer for Monday Night Football. His first Super Bowl call was Super Bowl XLV. He has called every Super Bowl since then for Westwood One. He also calls preseason games for the Green Bay Packers. He is one of only three broadcasters to have over 3,000 national TV broadcasts. These are for the four major professional sports.

About Kevin Harlan

Early Life and Education

Kevin Harlan started broadcasting when he was a teenager. He worked for his high school radio station, WGBP-FM. He called basketball, football, and ice hockey games. He was recently added to his high school's Hall of Fame.

As a teen, he was a ball boy for the Green Bay Packers. His father, Bob Harlan, worked in the Packers' front office. Kevin wanted to study communications in college. A famous broadcaster, Gary Bender, suggested he go to the University of Kansas.

At Kansas, he met Tom Hedrick, a basketball announcer. Hedrick saw Kevin's passion for sports. He became Kevin's mentor. Kevin started as a sideline reporter in his first year. He later filled in as an announcer. He graduated in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Starting His Career

Right after college in 1982, Kevin Harlan became a voice for the NBA's Kansas City Kings. He was only 22 years old. He then called basketball games for the University of Kansas for one year. From 1985 to 1993, he called games for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

He also worked for the University of Missouri from 1986 to 1989. He called their football and basketball games. For nine seasons (1989–1998), he was the voice of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.

On a national level, Harlan called NFL football for NBC in 1991. He called college football for ESPN in 1992–1993. He worked for Fox from 1994 to 1997. In 1996, he joined Turner Sports to call NBA playoff games. He started calling games all season long for TNT in 1997. He still does this today. He has called more NBA games for TNT than anyone else. He began working for CBS in 1998.

Other Work and Awards

Kevin Harlan has also called preseason games for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers. He called a boxing match in 1995. He also called basketball games for the Goodwill Games. He has lent his voice to the NBA 2K video game series since 2005.

Harlan has won many awards. His fellow sportscasters voted him National Sportscaster of the Year in 2017. He won this award again in 2019 and 2023. In September 2019, he was inducted into his high school's Hall of Fame.

Famous Calls

Kevin Harlan is known for adding humor to games. He can also make exciting moments even more dramatic. Here are some of his most famous calls:

LeBron James Dunk (2008)

On May 12, 2008, Harlan was calling an NBA playoff game for TNT. It was between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. LeBron James made an amazing dunk. Harlan famously yelled: "LeBron James with no regard for human life!"

Fan on the Field (2016)

On September 12, 2016, Harlan was calling a Monday Night Football game. A fan ran onto the field. Harlan gave a play-by-play of security chasing the fan. People called it an "All Timer" call.

Kawhi Leonard Buzzer Beater (2019)

On May 12, 2019, Harlan called Game 7 of an NBA playoff series for TNT. It was between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. The game was tied with seconds left. Kawhi Leonard shot a dramatic game-winning shot. It bounced on the rim four times before going in.

Black Cat on the Field (2019)

On November 4, 2019, Harlan was calling a Monday Night Football game. A black cat ran onto the field during the game. He gave a funny play-by-play of the cat.

Lamar Jackson Touchdown (2019)

On November 10, 2019, Harlan called a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made an incredible 47-yard touchdown run. He used a spin move to get past defenders.

Calling Two Games at Once (2019)

On December 29, 2019, Harlan was calling a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. He also started calling the Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots game. This was because the outcome of that game affected the Chiefs' playoff spot. His analyst asked him, "I'm getting confused, what game are you calling?" Harlan excitedly replied, "I'M CALLING BOTH GAMES!"

Super Bowl Streaker (2021)

During Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021, a streaker ran onto the field. Harlan was the radio announcer. He gave a hilarious play-by-play of the streaker being chased.

Furman's Upset Win (2023)

On March 16, 2023, Harlan called a game in the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The #13 seed Furman scored a game-winning 3-pointer. This happened with only 2.2 seconds left against #4 Virginia. The video of Harlan's call went viral.

Jamal Murray's Buzzer Beater (2024)

On May 12, 2024, Harlan called an NBA playoff game. Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets made a half-court shot at halftime. Harlan repeatedly yelled "Got it!" as the shot went in. He then stared at Murray, who was looking at him. The video of the shot, the stare, and Harlan's call became very popular.

Personal Life

Kevin Harlan has been married to his wife Ann for 37 years. They have four children and five grandchildren. Their daughter, Olivia, is also a sports reporter. She used to work for ESPN and now works for SkySports in Europe. She is married to former NBA player Sam Dekker.