I used to pride myself on being able to see every Florida State game, and I’ve seen them in some different capacities. I’ve gone to games, watched them on TV at home, and connected my laptop to a television to watch some. However, I’ve also gotten up in the middle of the night to watch it from Afghanistan, and I’ve even watched it wearing full chemical gear during the middle of an military exercise. Like I said, many different capacities.
Recently, whether it be due to work or family responsibilities, I don’t always get the opportunity to watch a game live. For most people, they’d go nuts, and I can respect that. However, Florida State fans who can’t watch the game shouldn’t be upset, for on the radio is the sweet sounds of one Gene Deckerhoff.
Ironically, for me in South Florida, I can always find Gene and William Floyd broadcasting the Seminoles (going left to right on my radio dial) on 850 AM. Considering the glut of TV “talent”, and the attempted soundbites they continually try to pass as analysis, I’d much rather mute the TV and turn up the radio.
But don’t just take this as an FSU fan praising heap on a man who has received plenty of praise and accolades throughout his career. This past weekend, I was driving to Orlando to meet my family. Luckily, the time I left Miami coincided with the FSU vs. Duke matchup. So naturally, I spent the entire drive listening to the broadcast. When the game was over, I switched over to hear the closing moments of UF-UGA, finding the Bulldog broadcasters on the radio. While I was listening to them, I noticed something that I found simply amazing.
You see, maybe I’m spoiled, listening to Gene for the last ten years, but he provides something. Throughout his radio broadcasts, he shows respect to our opponent, providing praise when they make a good play on the ball. He doesn’t talk in “our” or “my” when discussing the Seminoles, and his repoire with William Floyd makes for great radio. During the five minutes of listening to UF-UGA, I heard two shrill voices try to talk over one another as they discussed “our Bulldogs,” and then proceed to continually attack UF on every play.
Tomahawk Stickers for last week’s showing of why Duke is still Duke:
RB Devonta Freeman (104 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, 8.7 yards per carry) – Through last season and this season, Freeman has shown that he has the capability to be the premier rushing back for FSU.
RB James Wilder Jr. (87 all purpose yards, 1 touchdown) – Is it too early to think of a nickname combination for these two? Running Free and Wild?
LB Christian Jones (11 tackles, 3 for loss) – Everywhere you looked, Number 7 was involved last week. Jones is quietly having a solid year for the Seminoles.
Gene Deckeroff is the Jim Brown of broadcasting. He's the best plain and simple and it's not even close.
Posted by: Art Knight | November 03, 2012 at 05:55 PM