As for the John Ward video, I wonder if the man himself will ever realize what he meant to each individual in this fanbase? Every fan has an individual appreciation and value for John Ward. And I know so many fans that never attended a game during that era but experienced the excitement of Neyland Stadium because of him.
I know Bob Kesling does a decent job and is a really good guy - and brings a lot to the University.
But....
I've never wanted to turn down the TV volume and listen to him instead of the announcers. Did that regularly with John Ward.
I try to tell my kids what it was like growing up in the '60s (and living in Alabama). First, there was 3 channels on TV, and your team *might* get on TV twice a season if you were lucky. That means, you had to either be at the game or listen to it on the radio.
Also, there were only a handful of bowl games, most of them played on New Years. Back then, if you went to a bowl game it REALLY meant something.
And if you had to listen to it on the radio, you had to let the words of the play by play guy, paint the picture. John Ward was a master at that, along with Bill Anderson, his color guy. (A lot of people don't know this, but Bill Anderson played in Super Bowl I for Lombardi).
You could literally close your eyes and watch the game through John Ward's voice.
My appreciation and earliest memories of John Ward came, not from football, but of basketball. Mid '60s, when Ray Mears first came on the scene, UT had some good teams. Some of the players, Hahn, Justice, Widby (who also punted for the football team), England, Boerwinkle and others.
John Ward was amazing at describing where the ball was on the floor, who was handling it, what the defense was. I mean, you could literally watch basketball listening to him, and then his trademarked "Bottom" when someone stripped the net.
For those 30 and under reading this thread that want to gain an appreciation for John Ward, close your eyes and "watch" this video.
https://youtu.be/Ssa2twA4hsM
It's more amazing to me, is to see what John Ward was seeing and how accurate and quick his voice painted the picture. His ability to verbalize was damn near like a reflex, if that makes sense.
In Huntsville, we could get sketchy FM coverage from a Fayetteville VOL network affiliate. My Dad had a zenith console radio/record player. It was in the living room. (for you younger people, that was the room in the house that had furniture, but nobody used it unless you had company). He would put on UT basketball, and turn out the lights. I'd lay on the floor most of the time (Shag carpet!) and listen to the games with him.
My parents are both gone now and their estate is settled. I was in a thrift store about a year ago and saw that Zenith. Almost bought it back, however I have too much junk anyway, so I just took a picture of it.
