Pat Summerall, to say the least, has lived a hearty, multifarious life. A college football player at the University of Arkansas, 10 years in the National Football League, a decades-long career as perhaps the best television broadcaster of all time whose economical use of words is something today's mealy-mouthed TV heads could learn from, a long battle against alcoholism followed by years of sobriety and, oh yeah, a liver transplant in 2004.
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| Is there anything that Summerall hasn't seen over the years? (Getty Images) |
Now, at 77, Summerall is beginning a new chapter in his existence. He is beginning a new Internet sports talk radio show on Modavoxs VoiceAmerica Sports Network beginning in September. I figured this was as good a time as any to catch up with one of the great legends in sports.
The brief Q&A with Summerall follows and note: You will find Summerall's comments about Pacman Jones, well, interesting, to say the least, as well as his thoughts on modern television broadcasters, and his friendship -– yes, friendship –- with Terrell Owens.
Mike Freeman: You've been around sports for a long time. What is different about today's athletes from athletes in the 60s, 70s and even the 80s?
Pat Summerall: Certainly one of the bigger things is there is more media. No question about that. The real difference is money. Athletes have so much more accessibility to the luxuries of life. Athletes just don't have one car; they have a car and then a luxury car or a few luxury cars. They don't have any sound system, they have the best money can buy.
They're not prepared for these types of things. I think the money and the luxuries make some of them arrogant and unreasonable. We weren't prepared for this type of thing in my time but even if we were, we didn't have it.
MF: So how do you prepare athletes to become ready for all of that?
Summerall: Most athletes today don't know how to deal with the acclaim. They don't know how to deal with the media. I think the NFL does a good job of trying to expose young players to these potential problems.
MF: You mean the NFL's rookie symposium?
Summerall: Yes, it's a great program they do. But in some ways the only way for players to deal with the money and the media is for them to go through (life experiences) themselves and then hope they make the right choices.
MF: Speaking of making the right choices, what advice would you give to Pacman Jones?
Summerall: (Laughter). Oh my gosh ... I was reading some quotes by Pacman Jones. In his eyes, he doesn't think he's done anything wrong. I'd have difficulty communicating with him. I don't know if I could understand his language. I'd probably tell him take a good look at yourself.
MF: When you say you'd have difficulty understanding him, what do you mean? Do you mean there'd be a generational gap?
Summerall: Well that, too. But mainly he would talk in a language I wouldn't understand. He'd use words I wouldn't know and I'd use words he wouldn't know.
MF: What do you enjoy about watching sports today?
Summerall: I enjoy how sports are still really simple. The idea is to compete and win. I still like that. I still think simple principles like that are what this country was built on.
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| Pacman? Summerall wouldn't even know where to begin with him. (Getty Images) |
Summerall: When I watch an NFL game or when I watch sports in general, what I really don't like is how announcers talk too much. There are too many graphics on the screen. The viewer is overwhelmed with all kinds of stuff.
MF: Which announcers talk too much?
Summerall: I sort of make it a policy not to comment on people who do what I did. That's an evasive way to answer your question. But I will say one of my teachers when I first got into this business once told me: "I'll never criticize you for saying too little." I worked with Ray Scott (a former two-time broadcaster of the year who was the announcer for the famous Ice Bowl game) who was the voice of the Green Bay Packers and I learned a lot working with him. I learned the obvious that television is a visual medium and you don't need to say a whole lot because people can see it. You also don't need to yell and scream to be a good broadcaster. I think a lot of broadcasters today could learn from guys like Ray Scott.
MF: Why continue to stay in sports journalism?
Summerall: I'm in good health. I'm enjoying a very happy life. I play golf when I like. I have a very happy marriage. I'm still a fan of sports. I miss broadcasting and I miss the players. I was at a Dallas game and got to speak with the players and the coaches before the game and it was good to do that again. I guess the bottom line is I still get a thrill out of sports.
MF: You were at a Dallas game. Some people would be surprised to know that you are friends with Terrell Owens.
Summerall: I met Terrell Owens years ago when he came out of college. I don't know if I should use this word but we had a bonding. We hit it off as friends. I'll tell you this. I have never met a more humble, good guy in my life. I really mean that.
MF: I think people will be shocked to hear you describe Terrell Owens as humble.
Summerall: Well, I know, but it's true. Some of the things I see him do now ... that's not the guy I know. When I went to the Cowboys game, I spoke with him and said, "Let's talk soon." And he said, "Let's." So we'll see how that goes. I still greatly like him.
MF: You're hosting an Internet radio show. Tell me about that.
Summerall: Throughout my career, I never had a chance to voice my own opinion on things. It will be fun. I've always held back my opinion during broadcasts but with an opinion radio show now I don't have to do that.
MF: Are you ready for the backlash from players, coaches and listeners who will get angry if you criticize them?
Summerall: I'm ready. I guess they'll let me know if they don't like something.
