Keith Jackson

Keith Jackson

Photo Credit: ABC/Photofest

Keith Jackson

Sportscaster
Learn More:

Keith Jackson

Sportscaster

October 28, 1928

Roopville, Georgia

January 12, 2018

Keith Jackson was an American sportscaster, known for his career with ABC Sports.

While he covered a variety of sports over his 40-year career, he is best known for his coverage of college football, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence and authoritative tone.

For many years, he was assigned by ABC to the primary national game of the week. His quirky expressions such as "Whoa, Nellie!", "Fum-BLE!" and "Hold the phonnnnne!" (following a penalty flag) are often the subject of comedic imitation. Though he greatly popularized it, Jackson notes that he learned the term "Whoa, Nellie" from earlier television announcer Dick Lane. He has often referred to offensive and defensive line players as the Big Uglies, or to an individual by saying "That guy...is a hus" (horse).

The Rose Bowl stadium's radio and TV booths were renamed "The Keith Jackson Broadcast Center" in December 2015.

Jackson died January 12, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. He was 89.

Learn More:

Click here if you have updates to this page.

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more.