Hunkering Down

09/25/2008

Larry Munson, Georgia's football radio broadcast legend, calls one of the many games he's covered in the past 50 years. He is joined every week by Loran Smith on the Bulldog Radio Network.  (Special * The Red & Black)

 

So, UGA play by play man Larry Munson is retiring, a dark day for the Bulldog nation. What a guy! I met Larry in 1977 as news director of WRFC AM in Athens, the Bulldog football flagship station. Then we worked together at the Georgia Radio Network where he did a daily commentary for years in the ’80s. My impressions of the man:

  • - Just as his on-air comments frequently revolved around shocking athlete’s salaries, in his professional life, he was uncomfortable asking for money. We frequently had to encourage him to ask for more when a sponsor requested his voice. He’s say, “$50. That’s fine.” And we’d say, “no, no, Larry, you’re worth so much more than that!”
  • - In conversation, Larry talks as if he’s doing play by play. Everything sentence is short, descriptive, staccato.
  • - He loves to be around women. His remarks about women can be filthy, but he isn’t dangerous. 
  • - He isn’t afraid to make fun of himself. One time I had him record a message for our answering machine: “My God, leave a message when you hear that tone thing!” He did it completely in character. 

 

Larry is a genuine 100% original, the true test of a successful life. It’s a privilege to have worked with him. 

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