Fiesta Bowl

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Jackson Says Goodbye As
Tenn. Says Hello To No. 1
Production Problems Mar The Ol Hoss' Final Broadcast.
By George Stahl
ABC's legendary announcer Keith Jackson ended his remarkable 47-year broadcasting career by receiving a confetti shower and announcing Tennessee's 23-16 win in the Fiesta Bowl, which basically secures the Volunteers' first national championship since 1951.
Unfortunately, ABC's telecast of the long, sloppy, penalty-filled contest was marred by production problems that have plagued the network since its lockout of technicians began in November.
Despite that, tonight's broadcast centered on Jackson, who signed off by saying: "Final score: Tennessee 23, Florida State 16. And so it is done. I say goodbye to all of you. God bless and keep you. Good night."
Shortly before that, after it became apparent that Tennessee would win, Jackson thanked all of the people at ABC, especially booth partner Bob Griese and sideline reporter Lynn Swann. "As I said a little while ago, my cup will always be half full," he said.
The 70-year-old then quoted Sir Winston Churchill, "I'm easily satisfied with the very best." To which, Griese responded, "You were the best." After which, similar to what players often do to victorious coaches in a big game, Griese dumped a Gatorade container full of confetti on Jackson's head.
Swann then said his goodbye, in which he told Jackson that "I'm going to miss you greatly."
Finally, before the final seconds ticked off, Jackson thanked the viewers. "Thanks to all of you who've endured all the nonsense and all the mistakes and all of that across the years," he said.
At halftime, ABC showed a well-produced four-minute tribute to Jackson, which featured the veteran broadcaster at various events, including a bikini contest. While Jackson has covered the big events, such as the NFL, baseball and the Olympics, he will be remembered most for his work in college football and for his popular countrified expressions.
At the end of the tribute, Jackson's partner, Bob Griese, announced that ABC and Washington State, Jackson's alma mater, have established a $100,000 Keith Jackson Distinguished Presidential Scholarship. An obviously touched Jackson seemed humbled by the gesture.
[Note: Although it wasn't mentioned on the broadcast, Jackson also will receive the 1999 Gold Medal Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated integrity, achieved success, and have carried the basic values taught in amateur sport into their professional life. Past recipients include former baseball great Jackie Robinson, President John Kennedy and actor John Wayne.]
Throughout the game, Jackson tried to keep the focus on the two teams, although he admitted to being nervous at the beginning.
"Nerves? Of course, there are nerves," Jackson said about the two teams. "Everyone's palms are wet, including mine."
Griese tried a few times to get his partner to talk more about his departure. In the first half, Griese kidded the Ol' Hoss about the gifts he had received during his final season in an attempt to prod Jackson into talking about his final game. Jackson didn't bite, saying "Not tonight."
In the second half, Griese asked Jackson to try to work in some of his trademark phrases, such as "Whoa, Nellie" and "rumbling and stumbling."
Unfortunately, Jackson never found the proper opportunity to use those phrases; however, ABC did a lot of stumbling and bumbling on its own. ABC's telecast was hampered by missed shots, poor replays and bad camerawork. (see bad jobs)
But Jackson rose above the long, sloppy, penalty-filled, production-plagued game with his always colorful descriptions.
For example, after yet another five-yard Florida State offsides penalty in the first half, Jackson moralized, "It's a nickel. But if you get enough nickels, first thing you know you've got a quarter. Then you've got a heavy sack, and then you ain't going anywhere."
To which, Griese responded, seemingly in reference to their 12 years together, "Aw, it's been fun."
It certainly has.
Other notes, thoughts and observations on the game:
Good lines:
1. "We've had everything but beauty," Jackson said after Griese suggested that this game had everything in it.
2. "[Florida State coach] Bobby Bowden knows about wide right, doesn't he?" Jackson said after Tennessee kicker Jeff Hall missed a 33-yard field goal wide right in the first quarter.
3. "You're just lazy," Jackson said to his partner, Griese, who said he liked the First & 10 line, which designates on television where the first-down line is.
4. "Third-string fullbacks wear [No.] 37," Griese said while questioning why Tennessee receiver Peerless Price wears No. 37.
More Jacksonisms:
1. "These two defenses in the second half have just been like running through the brier patch backwards."
2. "If destiny is to be the 12th man for the Volunteers, then I hope he got a good night sleep because this little tussle out in the desert may get kind of bumptious before it's finally resolved and the dust is settled." Jackson said at the telecast's opening.
3. "These ol' boys who have played most of the game are not going to be too nimble at the dance."
4. "Here's a chance to put a doorslammer on it," after Tennessee recovered a Florida State fumble inside the Seminole 30 yard line, when leading 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
5. "That thumping sound was the door closing," after Tennessee converted a fourth down with less than two minutes left.
Good stats:
1. Florida State opponents were 1 for 32 on third-down conversions over the past two games.
Good jobs:
1. Because he positioned himself on the goal line, sideline reporter Lynn Swann was able to report, before replays proved him right, that Florida State's first touchdown was a good call by officials.
2. At one point, Griese correctly predicted a quarterback draw by Florida State quarterback Marcus Outzen right before he snapped the ball.
That's why they are in the broadcast booth:
After another bad punt early in the game by maligned Tennessee punter David Leaverton, Jackson and Griese speculated that the Volunteers may use Tennessee kicker Jeff Hall. Tennessee did not, and Leaverton went on to make some big plays, including a nice tackle on Florida State's Peter Warrick and punt that was down inside the one-yard line.
Good shot:
1. The replay showing the ball bounce off Tennessee receiver Peerless Price into the arms of a Seminole defender for a fourth quarter interception in the end zone. Of course, ABC's main camera missed Volunteer quarterback Tee Martin throwing the ball because it was fooled again by a play-fake. (see bad jobs)
Price of promotion:
In the second quarter, Jackson had to apologize to all those who couldn't log on to the Enhanced TV, which ABC heavily advertised for the past week. "When you have too much success, you don't know how to handle it," Jackson said. By the second half, the link to Enhanced TV was taken off of the front page of ESPN.com. Click here to read Randy's review of Enhanced TV.
Aflac trivia question:
When and who played in the first college football game that Keith Jackson broadcasted? Answer: Clemson played Duke in 1966. Jackson added that Jackie Jensen was his color man.
Hmm:
1. Griese said Seminole receiver Peter Warrick is the "most dangerous" receiver in college football. Unfortunately, viewers couldn't determine if Griese is right because the receiver only had one catch for seven yards.
Bad jobs:
1. ABC did not show enough replays on Florida State's onside kick late in the fourth quarter.
2. ABC never showed a clear angle of Tennessee's fumble in the first quarter.
3. Camera stayed with Florida State quarterback Marcus Outzen after he had handed off the ball in the first quarter. ABC's main camera was faked out a few times throughout the game by play fakes.
4. Main camera missed Warrick's second-quarter catch that was out-of-the-back of the endzone.
5. ABC never explained why officials were wearing a black ban around their arms.
Glitch:
1. The microphone for sideline reporter Lynn Swann wasn't working properly in the pregame show.
Tacky:
1. ABC showed the Bowl Championship Series logo painted on the goal posts. Is there any place on a playing field that is saved from advertising?
2. The Tostitos folks shamelessly tried to plug its product by shoving its bag unto people after game. First, as Fullmer and the Volunteers were leaving the sidelines to celebrate their victory; second, during the trophy presentation, when a Tostitos official made sure he was holding a Tostitos bag high enough to keep it in the camera shot. Sickening.
Thoughts on the announcers:
Jackson: ABC, Jackson handled his farewell with the proper amount of class and dignity that he deserved. ... going out on top. ... will be missed. Grade: A+
Griese: had one of his better games this season. ... is very good at quickly diagramming plays. ... was quick to say that Outzen's knee was down before he scored Florida State's second touchdown. ... After saying he would kick it away, Griese didn't criticize Florida State's failed onside kick with 3:42 left. ... also never said if he agreed with Tennessee's decision to go for a first down when they could have attempted a 50-yard field goal with less than two minutes left. ... is a solid announcer but may not stay No. 1 next season without Jackson. Grade: B+
Swann: got off to a slow start but quickly returned to his normal high-level of reporting ... was very quick in getting injury reports, such as for Tennessee cornerback Dwayne Goodrich. ... asked the proper questions to coaches after at the half. ... is more like a third man in the booth than strictly a sideline reporter, which is a good thing for Swann and the viewers. Grade: A-
Grade: B. Production problems knocked Jackson's farewell down a notch.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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