John Motson Dies Aged 77 - The Legendary Football Commentator Who Brought The Game To Life
The legendary commentator John Motson dies aged 77. John Motson, one of the most recognizable and respected voices in footballcommentary, has passed away at the age of 77. The news was confirmed by his family on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Motson, who was born in Salford, Greater Manchester in 1945, began his career in broadcasting in the 1960s. He worked as a sports reporter for the BBC and ITV before joining the BBC's footballcommentary team in 1971. Over the course of his long career, he covered 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups, and numerous European Championships.
His distinctive voice, encyclopedic knowledge of the game, and passionate delivery made him a beloved figure among footballfans around the world.
Motson retired from full-time broadcasting in 2018, but remained a regular contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live and other programs. He was also an author, with several books to his name, and a passionate collector of footballmemorabilia.
The news of Motson's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the footballing world. Former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted:
“„Oh no. How terribly sad. He was the voice of football. A legend. Incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and with a voice that was just made for the job. A sad day for the sport.- Gary Lineker
BBC Director-General Tim Davie also paid tribute to Motson, saying:
“„John Motson was one of the true greats of footballbroadcasting. He had an incredible talent for bringing the game to life for millions of fans around the world. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the sport were unparalleled, and he will be sorely missed.- Tim Davie
John's Career
John Motson was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, on July 10, 1945. He grew up in nearby Lancashire and attended the University of Sussex, where he studied history.
John Motson had a long and illustrious career in broadcasting, particularly in footballcommentary. He began his career in the 1960s as a sports reporter for BBC and ITV, before joining the BBC's footballcommentary team in 1971.
Over the course of his career, Motson covered 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups, and numerous European Championships. His distinctive voice, deep knowledge of the game, and passionate delivery made him a beloved figure among footballfans around the world.
Motson was particularly known for his catchphrases, such as "For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip," and "The crazy gang have beaten the culture club." He was also an author, with several books on footballto his name, and a passionate collector of footballmemorabilia.
Motson retired from full-time broadcasting in 2018 but continued to be a regular contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live and other programs. His legacy in footballbroadcasting is secure, and he will be remembered as one of the greats of his profession.
Final Words
Motson's legacy in footballbroadcasting is secure, and his influence on the game will be felt for generations to come. He will be remembered as one of the greats of his profession, and a true ambassador for football.