John Ward has passed away.

#228
#228
BigOrange15 said:
Noooooooooo...that is unbelievably sad. Statue at Neyland needs to be in the works tomorrow.
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They slather the ring around the stadium and the video screen with dish network. They should put up another panel around the Jumbotron or put a statue in the plaza outside the stadium, something truly meaningful to John ward.
 
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#231
#231
Kenny Chesney sang his Touchdown Tennessee song at half time of the 98 Arkansas game. We had seats right in front of the press box and I will never forget seeing JW beaming and giving a thumbs up to KC during the tribute. What a day to be a Vol.

RIP John Ward, you meant so much to your alma mater and fans like me.
 
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#234
#234
I have enjoyed reading all of the comments here since last night. I would just like to add what a good sense of humor he had and how totally honest some of his assessments could be. Sure, he was a Vol... but he wasn't a sunshine pumper.

In the '88 season our defense was really struggling. John was on the pre-game call in show with Bobby Scott and Tim Priest and was asked if we had a chance of beating Alabama. John's response, "Only if defense has suddenly become optional."

Also, during our 101-40 loss to Kentucky in the '93 SEC Tournament, he concluded the broadcast with, "For the Vol network, this... is John Ward signing off after telling you the final score from Lexington - The University of Kentucky Wildcats 101 and the University of Tennessee Volunteers... well, I'd rather not say."
 
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#237
#237
Meant to post here yesterday and other things took precedence. I feel like I lost two family members yesterday. I listened to John Ward call UT games for about as long as I can remember. My mom was a big UT fan even when I was growing up in Alabama and didn't know my blood was orange yet. Some of the most exciting moments in our storied history were brought to me by Mr. Ward. At nearly the same time yesterday afternoon, I lost my Brother in Law Jim, whom I have known for over 40 years. He lost a 2 and a half year battle with cancer that began with pancreatic cancer, progressed to his liver, and finally ended with a brain tumor. I hope both are blessed and that John was there to walk with Jim on their final journey.

Proud to be a Vol Fan and a member of both John and Jim's families.
 
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#238
#238
BowlBrother85 said:
I have enjoyed reading all of the comments here since last night. I would just like to add what a good sense of humor he had and how totally honest some of his assessments could be. Sure, he was a Vol... but he wasn't a sunshine pumper.

In the '88 season our defense was really struggling. John was on the pre-game call in show with Bobby Scott and Tim Priest and was asked if we had a chance of beating Alabama. John's response, "Only if defense has suddenly become optional."

Also, during our 101-40 loss to Kentucky in the '93 SEC Tournament, he concluded the broadcast with, "For the Vol network, this... is John Ward signing off after telling you the final score from Lexington - The University of Kentucky Wildcats 101 and the University of Tennessee Volunteers... well, I'd rather not say."
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My dad and I spoke about this last night. He called the game as if he was talking to both sides of the field/court. Was a great man all around.
 
#239
#239
I was fortunate enough to be at his last football game broadcast.Winning the national championship that night in Arizona was made so much sweeter because I got to listen to Jon call it down to the final seconds.We all have lost a piece of our hearts with his passing.RIP John Ward your voice will always be the voice of the Vols.
 
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#240
#240
orangeblooded2 said:
....Just no. Still hate Keith Jackson. If ESPN is a thorn in the side of UT. Then Jackson is the whole stem.

R.I. P. John Ward
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I never hated Keith Jackson, but never thought he was great. The guy had a man crush on Bear Bryant, and his bias was obvious when it came to UT.

Also, the 1998 National Championship - so much of it was about Keith Jackson and his retirement. I thought more energy and focus needed to be on Tennessee and the moment that they were in plus a little more attention to John Ward's retirement.

To make it worse, he didn't actually retire - he was back for more games later.

I have the same feelings about Keith Jackson as I do for Steve Kawolski. Who is Steve Kawalski you ask? He's the guy that insisted I come to his wedding on a day when I had tickets to the Tennessee - Alabama game in 1984. If you don't remember, Johnny Jones scored in the closing seconds to pull the VOLS to within 1. Then instead of going for the tie, Majors chooses to go for 2, and Tony Robinson converts for a 1 point victory over Bama.

Not saying that I shouldn't have been at the wedding, but the dang guy cheated on her and they were divorced within 6 months. If Keith Jackson had just stayed retired....And Kawolski stayed married...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2966wIxmnA[/youtube]
 
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#244
#244
It was funny how much he loved saying the name "HORACE MORRIS!" (early 90's)... I think John would sometimes mistake who had actually made the tackle just so he could say his name. We should all be as fortunate to love our jobs as much as John Ward did his. He was having fun.
 
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#245
#245
BowlBrother85 said:
It's hard to explain to anyone under 30 but there was a time (even when we were very good) when most of our games were not on television... but that was okay because we had his voice. I remember hanging on his every word in the '82 Alabama game and feeling like I was there. An icon has left us.
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Even after we got to be on TV for most games i loved to turn the volume on the boob tube down and listen to John call the game....You willed be greatly missed old friend:hi:
 
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#247
#247
BowlBrother85 said:
It was funny how much he loved saying the name "HORACE MORRIS!" (early 90's)... I think John would sometimes mistake who had actually made the tackle just so he could say his name. We should all be as fortunate to love our jobs as much as John Ward did his. He was having fun.
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At the end of basketball broadcasts in the 80's John would thank Arnold Simmons and the Arnold was really drug out. Who the heck was Arnold Simmons?:)

I agree with Bud Ford that John Ward was at his best calling basketball games. "If he makes the first, he gets the bonus........He gets the bonus!"
 
#249
#249
Just want to express my sympathies. John was such a huge reason why I'm a Vol fan. As a kid, I saw many games through his voice. As an adult, I always reserved one game a year to only the radio broadcast. Rest easy now sir, I will miss you, and have since you retired, but you will live on every year as I will listen to your calls to pump me up before every game.
 
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