Kevin Harlan facts for kids

Kevin Robert Harlan (born June 21, 1960) is a famous American sports announcer for television and radio. He is known for his exciting and energetic voice when calling games. He has been named National Sportscaster of the Year three times by other sportscasters.

Harlan is the son of Bob Harlan, who was the president of the Green Bay Packers. Kevin announces games for the NFL and college basketball on CBS. He also calls NBA games for Prime Video. For many years, he was a popular announcer for NBA on TNT. The 2025 NFL season is his 41st year in a row calling NFL games, and the 2025-26 NBA season is his 39th year calling NBA games.

Besides television, Harlan is the main radio voice for Westwood One's national broadcasts of Monday Night Football. He has announced 15 Super Bowls in a row on the radio, which is more than any other announcer on TV or radio. He is one of the top announcers of all time, having called play-by-play for over 500 NFL games on network TV.

Early Life and Career

Kevin Harlan started his broadcasting career when he was just a teenager. He announced games for his high school's radio station, WGBP-FM. He called play-by-play for basketball, football, and ice hockey. As a teen, he was also a ball boy for the Green Bay Packers while his dad worked there.

Harlan went to the University of Kansas and studied journalism. A well-known announcer named Tom Hedrick saw his passion for sports broadcasting and helped him get started. Harlan graduated in 1982.

Right after college, at age 22, Harlan became the announcer for the NBA's Kansas City Kings (now the Sacramento Kings). He later called games for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL from 1985 to 1993. He also announced for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA for nine seasons.

Over the years, Harlan has worked for major networks like NBC, Fox, and ESPN. He joined Turner Sports in 1996 to call NBA games and became one of their most famous voices. He started working for CBS in 1998. He also calls preseason games for his hometown team, the Green Bay Packers. If you've ever played the NBA 2K video game series, you've probably heard his voice, as he has been an announcer in the game since 2005.

Famous Announcing Moments

Harlan is famous for his exciting calls, especially during amazing plays or funny moments. Here are some of his most memorable calls.

The Buzzer Beater

On May 12, 2019, Harlan called Game 7 of a big NBA playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. With the score tied, Toronto's Kawhi Leonard took a last-second shot. The ball bounced on the rim four times before falling in.

It's off to Leonard, defended by Simmons... is this the dagger? (Pause as the ball bounces four times before going in) OHHHHHH!!! GAME!! SERIES!! TORONTO HAS WON!!!

The Black Cat

During a Monday Night Football game on November 4, 2019, a black cat ran onto the field. Harlan gave a hilarious play-by-play of the cat's adventure.

"Oh, there's a cat, a black cat has taken the field... Now a policeman, state troopers come on the field- AND THE CAT RUNS IN THE END ZONE! THAT IS A TOUCHDOWN! And the cat is elusive... and it runs up the tunnel.”

The Magical Quarterback

On November 10, 2019, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made an incredible play. He used a spin move to avoid defenders and score a 47-yard touchdown.

"Here's a second down and 3, Jackson takes it himself. Look at him dart back and forth- OHHHHHH! HE BROKE HIS ANKLES! NOW HE'S GOT AN ENTOURAGE! And he's got a touchdown! HE IS HOUDINI! What a play!"

Calling Two Games at Once

On December 29, 2019, Harlan was announcing a game between the Chargers and the Chiefs. At the same time, an important play happened in another game between the Dolphins and the Patriots. The outcome of that game would affect the Chiefs' playoff spot. Harlan started calling both games at once.

"Fitzpatrick throws in the end zone, touchdown Miami! The Dolphins have just scored! ... And the crowd (in Kansas City) now knows it."

His partner in the booth, Rich Gannon, joked, "I'm getting confused, what game are you calling?" Harlan excitedly replied, "I'M CALLING BOTH GAMES!"

The Super Bowl Streaker

During Super Bowl LV in 2021, a fan ran onto the field, causing a delay. Harlan turned the strange moment into a funny radio call.

"Someone has run on the field... some guy with a... well, he's running down the middle the 40. Arms in the air in a victory salute... PUT UP YOUR PANTS MY MAN! PUT UP THOSE PANTS! He's being chased... he slides at the one... and they converge on him at the goal line! (pause) Pull up your pants... and be a man!"

The Halftime Heave

On May 12, 2024, during an NBA playoff game, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets stole the ball and threw a shot from past half-court right at the halftime buzzer. The shot went in, and Harlan's call became an instant classic.

"That's intercepted. Murray, good if it goes... Got it! Got it! Got it! A big-time three! Oh, what a shot!"

As Harlan yelled, he and Murray shared an intense stare-down that went viral on social media.

Personal Life

Harlan and his wife, Ann, have been married for 38 years. They have four children and six grandchildren. Their daughter, Olivia, is also a sports reporter. She is married to Sam Dekker, who plays professional basketball in Europe.