February 11, 2009 2:48 PM
- Text
Honoring A Sportscasting Legend
(CBS)
From cab drivers to captains of industry, they gathered to say goodbye to a gentle giant of journalism.
"His legacy is something that transcends the world of sports television," Jim Nantz of CBS Sports said of legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, who died earlier this week at the age of 86.
He was a pioneering TV broadcaster lauded as the poet laureate of sport, reports CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian.
"He was the best storyteller the business has ever seen and may ever see," said Disney CEO Robert Iger.
In a majestic mass inside a soaring Baltimore cathedral, famous faces, friends and family mourned the loss and celebrated the life of Jim McKay, praising his humor and humanity.
"He carried a dignity with him, in style and manner," said racecar driver Jackie Stewart.
They all circled back to his singular gift for words.
"We were all living under the reflected glory of Jim McKay's words," said Doug Wilson, the producer-director of ABC Sports.
Jim McKay, born James Kenneth McManus, died on Saturday.
His legendary five-decade career highlighted by his work as the globe-trotting host of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and 12 Olympic games.
His finest moment: Sixteen straight hours anchoring ABC's coverage of the terrorist attack at the '72 Summer Games in Munich that took the lives of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team.
For all of McKay's achievements - including 13 Emmys - his most cherished were his beloved wife Margaret, daughter Mary, and son Sean, who is now president of CBS News and Sports.
"Of all the places that he went and all the things that he did in his life and all he accomplished, there's one thing that he liked more than anything else," Sean McManus said. "And that was coming home."
Back home for one final farewell, leaving behind a hole in the heart of journalism that will never be filled.
"His legacy is something that transcends the world of sports television," Jim Nantz of CBS Sports said of legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, who died earlier this week at the age of 86.
He was a pioneering TV broadcaster lauded as the poet laureate of sport, reports CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian.
"He was the best storyteller the business has ever seen and may ever see," said Disney CEO Robert Iger.
In a majestic mass inside a soaring Baltimore cathedral, famous faces, friends and family mourned the loss and celebrated the life of Jim McKay, praising his humor and humanity.
"He carried a dignity with him, in style and manner," said racecar driver Jackie Stewart.
They all circled back to his singular gift for words.
"We were all living under the reflected glory of Jim McKay's words," said Doug Wilson, the producer-director of ABC Sports.
Jim McKay, born James Kenneth McManus, died on Saturday.
His legendary five-decade career highlighted by his work as the globe-trotting host of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and 12 Olympic games.
His finest moment: Sixteen straight hours anchoring ABC's coverage of the terrorist attack at the '72 Summer Games in Munich that took the lives of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team.
For all of McKay's achievements - including 13 Emmys - his most cherished were his beloved wife Margaret, daughter Mary, and son Sean, who is now president of CBS News and Sports.
"Of all the places that he went and all the things that he did in his life and all he accomplished, there's one thing that he liked more than anything else," Sean McManus said. "And that was coming home."
Back home for one final farewell, leaving behind a hole in the heart of journalism that will never be filled.
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