Not UK related, but I saw, on Twitter, that Billy Packer died.
-
Philippians 4:11-4:13 -
Packer was good, and frankly the games seemed “big†to me when he was assigned. Definitely a lot of the games I remember during childhood where he also was a part of the experience. He was an ACC homer, I get it, but on the whole he did a good job.
I would be remiss if I didn’t include this mess:
-
I despised him in my youth. As an adult, I finally conceded that he had some great insight and was a good color announcer.Originally posted by John Stuart MillRIP: Charlie Munger​Originally posted by Robert “Hoot†GibsonComment
-
I remember watching Billy Packer with my dad and we both hated him as he was a big ACC homer. He would often commentate the Phil Ford UNC days when they played four corners and tried to emulate soccer.
Back in the day, Packer, Enberg and Al Mcguire did games together. I liked Al but could not stand Packer.
I went to high school in North Carolina and that was ACC Country, I could be wrong, but I felt I was exposed to Packer more because of where I lived. He seemed to commentate a bunch of ACC games. When I moved to Charlotte, I lived a few miles from him. I ran into him a few times and he seemed to be a nice guy. There was an Apple Bees, when that was popular, that was close to his house and had a bunch of Billy Pakeer memorabilia. Rick Flair lived in the same neighborhood and always thought why the place did not have more of Nature Boy hanging from the wall.
His son, Mark Packer, ran a very good sport's radio show in Charlotte and he often interviewed Billy and gave him a hard time. I believe Mark went National and can be heard on XM Radio at ESPNU radio mid- afternoon.Comment
-
^ Neat perspective, Rock. By the way, it's good to see you on the site! Hope all is wellComment
-
A few years back Billy Packer had a habit of injecting himself into high-profile murder cases. Have no idea why. He was involved in the O.J. case for a bit.
I liked him as an announcer, though announcers to me with UK really never register much. A lot of times I don't even hear what they're saying. I long for the days where we don't have commentary at all, just a mic dropped really close to the court.Comment
-
My dad loathed Billy Packer with the fire of a thousand suns.Comment
-
I'm sorry to hear of his death. Because of his ACC allegiance and especially Duke, I didn't care to listen to him call a Kentucky game. I know he tried hard to convince Kentucky Fans that he liked Kentucky. Praying for his family.John 3:3
Comment
-
I was there, about 30 rows up in the endzone it happened near. I heard Wojo screaming like he was dying. Me and a Duke fan sitting next to me just started laughing because it was so obvious..Packer was good, and frankly the games seemed “big†to me when he was assigned. Definitely a lot of the games I remember during childhood where he also was a part of the experience. He was an ACC homer, I get it, but on the whole he did a good job.
I would be remiss if I didn’t include this mess:
Comment
-
Wojo's on ESPN now doing college basketball studio stuff. His age is a little jarring because...well, we'd be roughly the same age. (Checking and he's two years older. Eat it, Wojo.)
And FTR Wayne Turner is the girls' coach where my kids went to high school. Have been to parties with him. Pro tip, but if you ever run into him in the world don't get three beers in and start talking to him about 1998. He doesn't enjoy it. Learned that one the hard way.Comment
-
One of those voices you'll never forget because you heard it in such important situations that our favorite team was involved in, and so many huge moments in modern college basketball. One of his first famous sound bites being when NC State beat Houston at The Pit in '83. "they won it! On the dunk!"
He was loathed by many but he did have a great basketball mind and one of his strengths was analyzing the game as it was happening, and noticing trends and strategic moves coaches would/could/ or should make. He was often spot on. I was basically told to hate him by my Dad, but I did appreciate his knowledge and experience and knew it was a big game when Packer was there. RIPComment
-
It's probably any year really if you're Wayne Turner trying to talk to a semi-drunk doofus at a party about 25 years ago.
I just happened to be talking to him about '98. He was having none of it. Changed the subject, tried to walk away, etc. I just shrugged and went on with my day.
To Wayne's credit, I've heard from my son's coach that he will talk about those days in certain situations. I guess he just didn't want to on that particular day. With me.
Whatever. I ain't mad.Comment
Comment