Posted on 06/07/2008 7:46:50 AM PDT by Borges
Jim McKay, 86, a longtime television sports journalist, has died of natural causes in Maryland, according to a statement from the McKay family.
McKay is best known for hosting ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and 12 Olympic Games.
McKay won numerous awards for journalism, including two Emmys and the George Polk Award for his sports and news coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
In 1988, McKay was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Just heard this from a friend.
Shame. Nice man and a strong advocate for horseracing. Sure we’ll see some sort of tribute on the Belmont telecast today.
RIP Mr. McKay.
Sorry to hear this. I grew up watching Wide World of Sports. RIP, Mr. McKay.
A giant in his profession, rest in peace.
“They’re all gone.”
Wow, I haven’t thought about Wide World of Sports in ages. It was really one of the better sports programs out there.
RIP, Mr. McKay.
He brought common sense and common decency to his work, something which seems to be mostly lost in today’s broadcasting. He has been missed from his profession and now he will be missed by his fellow man.
same here...condolences and thanks for the memories Jim
He started doing television back in 1947 in Baltimore, then went onto New York doing local sportscasts there.
One of the great sportscaster for sure.
I never missed “Wide World of Sports” as a kid, God Bless Jim McKay, may he rest in peace.
Aw, what a shame. I had the pleasure of meeting Jim McKay a couple of times. My uncle was GM of Whiteface Mountain during the 60’s and when McKay came up to cover events in Lake Placid, they would have dinner together at a steak place in Wilmington. As the “kid”, my uncle would toss me a bone once in a while and invite me along. I remember lots of laughter at those dinners...and cigars.
Real name was Jim McManus.
His son, Sean McManus has been president of CBS Sports since 1996 and of CBS News since 2005. (Combining the two as his mentor Roone Arledge did at ABC)
Responsible for the Katie Couric fiasco.
His famous line from Munich:
” . . . they’re all gone”
Now the great Jim McKay is gone. RIP.
Oh dear.
Godspeed and thanks, Mr. McKay.
Yes Jim McManus, I went to school with former NBA Ref Mendy Rudolf’s son, he use to tell us about hagning out with his dad and Jim Mckay.
“Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport...the thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat...the human drama of athletic competition...This is ABC’s Wide World of Sports!”
RIP Mr. McKay.
Too bad. He was a great guy.
To me growing up, Jim McKay was the Olympics. I can’t stand NBC’s coverage. ABC with McKay was so much better.
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