In his storied career, CBS' Verne Lundquist has had the opportunity to be at the microphone for many iconic events. Since becoming a network announcer in 1974, he's called the NCAA Tournament, the NFL, three Olympics, The Masters, the PGA Championship, and of course, SEC football. And lest we forget about his appearance in Happy Gilmore
Over the years, Uncle Verne has said the 1986 Masters during which he called Jack Nicklaus' birdie putt at the 17th hole (Yes, SIR!), the greatest single sporting event he has witnessed. He added that the 1992 NCAA Tournament Eastern Regional Final between Kentucky and Duke with Christian Laettner's winning shot was his second favorite event.
Shortly after this year's Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, Lundquist said the game tied for second with Kentucky-Duke. Well, with a chance to breathe and think about what happened, Verne has reconsidered.
He told Newsday's Neil Best that the 2013 Iron Bowl is now equal to the Nicklaus birdie on 17 as the greatest sporting event he has witnessed. He told Best: "Then the more I thought about it, from start to finish, this one was really something else."
Along with the Iron Bowl, the 1986 Masters and the 1992 NCAA Tournament, Verne was also at the mic for Tiger Woods' amazing chip at 16 at the 2005 Masters ("OH, WOW!! In your life, have you seen anything like that?") so he's had the opportunity to witness several historic events.
Partner Gary Danielson wrote Verne a note and also reiterated on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday, "So you go from Nicklaus at the Masters to the greatest college basketball game ever played to what ultimately might be regarded as the greatest college football game ever played. What's next?"
With Verne, his next greatest event could just be just days away with the SEC Championship.
[Newsday]
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