Hunkering Down

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.