John Ward, Please Come Back

#1
CountVolcula

CountVolcula

Eternal Vol
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
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#1
for one more season. I miss hearing you say "Its Football Time in Tennessee" and "Touchdown Tennessee". Its just not the same without you. I think one more year would do the Vol Nation some good.
 
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#2
#2
I think Kesling is OK. But he don't deserve to call games from the same booth as John Ward
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#3
#3
#10_Ainge_#10 said:
I think Kesling is OK. But he don't deserve to call games from the same booth as John Ward
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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Agreed. I only listen to Kesling when I cannot have the TV on. I used to listen to Ward when watching it on TV.
 
#4
#4
the story I've always heard is that Dickey was trying to cut into Ward's earnings from the Vol Network each year... Ward told him to stick it...
 
#5
#5
I will never forget coming home from the games and listening to my Grandmother talk like she had just got back also, but she was listening to John Ward on the radio. She would be smiling from ear to ear when we won and just as upset as the rest of us when we lost. She could talk about all of the plays just like she had been sitting in the stadium. John Ward was somehow able to carry the emotion of being at the game through the airwaves and many a Vol fan clung on moment by moment for the next play.

He is just as much a legend in this state as most of players and all of the coaches. There were no equals in the business for what he did. The only reason that he did not receive more recognition than he did is because he only announced for UT. Munson and Ledford were iconic for their programs, and LSU had some good announcers in the 60's, but no one compares to John ward.

The memory of that smile on Mammaw's face proved it on many Saturday evenings.
 
#6
#6
I agee wholeheartedly, there will never be another John Ward. It is definetly not the same. I like Bob Kesling ok but is it me or does it seem that he screws up the call alot. constanly giving the wrong name or wrong call or saying the player got to the 6 and then correcting himself and saying no i mean the 4 yard line. That type of stuff seems to happen constantly and is very annoying.
 
#10
#10
I would love to have him as a guest or something with BK cause he wouldn't come back by himself. Heck bring Anderson back if you need to...someone find him a blue towel!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not a BK fan...I just miss the rasp in Ward's voice on each call and the enthusiasm in his voice. He could send chills down my spine on a replay...I miss John
 
#11
#11
footballref said:
Agreed. I only listen to Kesling when I cannot have the TV on. I used to listen to Ward when watching it on TV.
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Yes that's what my folks used to do. I don't remember many of the great games he called but I will always remember the famous “GIVE HIM SIX!”
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#12
#12
Unfortunately, the old-school "paint the picture with their words" broadcasters are a dying breed. There isn't a distinction from one broadcaster to the next. The John Wards and Larry Munsons of the college football world are gone. I know Eli Gold has been at Alabama for years, but I put him in the same category as the new guys...indistinctive. Something just doesn't seem right about an SEC play-by-play man with a northern accent. I was talking to a kool-aid drinking bammer a couple of years ago and this subject came up. He actually argued with me and said that Eli Gold was from Alabama! Nobody ever accused bammers of being an intelligent breed. Back to the subject, Kessling sounds like somebody trying to compare insurance policies.

The best play-by-play men are in hockey, now. Many are very distinct and very passionate.
 
#14
#14
926 said:
Something just doesn't seem right about an SEC play-by-play man with a northern accent.
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It happens from time to time. Larry Munson is from Minnesota.
 
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#16
#16
Personally I would have went with Ron Franklin instead of Kessling. I think he is one of the best voices in CFB.
 
#17
#17
Too bad the Vols didn't get Mike Keith but I enjoy him on Titans Radio also. I think he is one of the best and way better than Kesling.
 
#18
#18
I felt all along Mike Keith was a better replacement for John Ward. not JW but very good.
 
#19
#19
I loved the call he made when we played Bama in '94. It was the Manning to Kent slant pass, took it all the way and Ward said " 25- 20-15-10, What did he do? All he did was Score, Touchdown Joey Kent!!". Loved It!!!
 
#20
#20
Bob Kesling just doesn't seem to have that same passion. He never really gets excited. Even in a cotton picker John Ward could make me see the plays as they unfold. Not so much with BK.
 
#21
#21
When I was in college at UT I worked at the Ace Hardware in Farragut at Dixie Lee Junction. John Ward used to come in there all the time. He was also a VERY good tipper when you helped him load stuff. I really wish he was still on the play by play. Me and my Dad always used to mute the TV and listen to him. My favorite to listen to was the Miracle in South Bend.
 
#23
#23
MUR73 said:
I agee wholeheartedly, there will never be another John Ward. It is definetly not the same. I like Bob Kesling ok but is it me or does it seem that he screws up the call alot. constanly giving the wrong name or wrong call or saying the player got to the 6 and then correcting himself and saying no i mean the 4 yard line. That type of stuff seems to happen constantly and is very annoying.
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Yeah, Kessling does do that alot. It's frustrating to listen to. He also says stuff like, "The RB takes it up the middle for a couple" that's just not specific enough. Tell us...is it 2, 3, or 4 yards? "A couple" doesn't get the job done.

Then, when he does tell you how many yards were gained, he gets it wrong half the time. He'll say, "First and 10...Foster, up the middle for 5 yards...okay now...second and 8." And I'm just like...what???

You get the picture.
 
#24
#24
615 Vol said:
Too bad the Vols didn't get Mike Keith but I enjoy him on Titans Radio also. I think he is one of the best and way better than Kesling.
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Had Ward retired one year earlier I think Mike Keith would have been back in Knoxville. Just bad luck/timing
 
#25
#25
Ward coming back to do a spot on a broadcast would be incredible, but he's never been one to upstage anyone. Doubtful that would ever happen.
 
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