"We" and "Us" in Broadcasts

[dsbyrd]

Originally Posted by GAVol

I think what he is getting at is that sometimes Kessling doesn't get quite as excited as Ward used to.

I can agree with your comparison. And I can also see where to some people, evidencing excitement about a play is as much an overt display of bias as using first person pronouns. I could tell when Ward would get excited, but I could always sense him trying to stifle it and put his professional hat back on.

Bob is as objective as can be reasonably expected in my opinion. But then again, my beef has never been with him.

Bill Anderson is the only other color guy with whom I am familiar enough to make a comparison to Bert, although I know we are talking two different sports. I don't recall Bill doing the "we" or "us" thing. I do recall Bill being a little more willing to criticize officiating, while Ward would usually demure.

I guess in some ways this just boils down to the fact that I miss John Ward. I remember my Dad having similar feelings when Ward replaced Mooney.

Time marches on.

[VolsSportsFan]

In all seriousness, I am almost positive I heard Bill Anderson say "us" or "we" some, though it's been over 10 years now so maybe I'm just "misremembering" as Roger Clemens says. I know he could be straight up blunt sometimes. One of the funniest memories I have of him is during the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, Nebraska scored and went up 14 or so and it was apparent the rout was about to be on. Ward gave the score and it was going to commercial, and Anderson must have thought they'd already cut away and he said "It's about to get ugly boys".

And I agree about missing Ward. Kesling is ok and probably not as bad as he's made out to be, and it was pretty much a given he'd never mearure up to Ward, but Ward was just a master of painting the picture.

[LS Vol]

I love it when they show they are partial to Tennessee -- I really love it when I can tell by their voice that we are doing something good. Ooops, did I say "we"?

[VolNC2316]

That's money, Bob!

[lawgator1]

On a related note, I know a former FSU football player who, when he hears fans talk aobut "us" or "we" in relation to their teams, corrects them by asking "What position do you play?"

It was funny the first two times he did it, but now it comes across as sort of arrogant. I mean, if a university is going to spend millions and millions of dollars every year trying to get students and alumni to identify with the school's athletic teams, then people are going to refer to themselves as part of it.

[VolsSportsFan]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

On a related note, I know a former FSU football player who, when he hears fans talk aobut "us" or "we" in relation to their teams, corrects them by asking "What position do you play?"

It was funny the first two times he did it, but now it comes across as sort of arrogant. I mean, if a university is going to spend millions and millions of dollars every year trying to get students and alumni to identify with the school's athletic teams, then people are going to refer to themselves as part of it.

I'd reply "I played the position that helped pay for your scholarship."

[mattvols]

I listened to the Gator Radio Network on XM and they were partial to Florida and said we and us the whole game. I think most teams do it. The Florida commentators also complained and called it a bad call on every foul called on Florida and every foul they thought should have been called on us.

[Tumbleweedvol]

All I can say is Ward knew when to use it. I think back to how many times he said 'bottoms' and it was always good as the last time he used it. Like 'Give him six'. Or the first game of the year in football, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, It's football time in Tennessee!!!'.