2025-Charlie Jones

Charlie Jones’ illustrious career in broadcasting spanned an impressive 38 years, with notable tenures at ABC and NBC. His career began in 1960 at ABC and moved to NBC in 1965, where he would remain until 1997. Jones’ career was not only long but also deeply influential in shaping the landscape of sports broadcasting.

Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jones showed early promise in sports and communication. He attended the University of Southern California, where he played on the tennis team, and later graduated with a law degree from the University of Arkansas. His dedication to service was demonstrated as he served in the Air Force before beginning his career in broadcasting.

In 1960, Jones became the announcer for Lamar Hunt’s American Football League (AFL) Dallas Texans and later that year for ABC. This marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his career as one of the original AFL voices. Jones was behind the microphone for the first-ever AFL game broadcast on September 10, 1960, between the original Los Angeles Chargers and the Dallas Texans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, along with Roone Arledge’s producer debut. His work helped define the early years of professional football broadcasting.

Jones’s success with the AFL led to his transition to NBC in 1965, when the network secured the broadcasting rights for the AFL. His work at NBC would become a hallmark of his career, calling over 500 NFL games. He was a sideline reporter for Super Bowl I, where he interviewed Bob Hope at halftime and Super Bowl IX. He called radio play-by-play for Super Bowl III, after which he spent three weeks on a USO military hospital tour with Joe Namath in the Far East. Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, praised Jones in 2008 as “one of the greatest pioneers of NBC Sports.”

Over his career, Jones announced 28 different sports for NBC, including major events such as 1991’s “The War by the Shore” Ryder Cup, Wimbledon and French Open matches and Hank Aaron’s 714th home run when working for Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine.” His versatility as an announcer was unmatched, and his distinctive voice became synonymous with a variety of events. He was an integral part of NBC’s “SportsWorld” and covered countless events, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics (track-and-field and diving), the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (swimming and diving), and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (rowing, flat-water canoeing, and kayaking). Jones’s presence was also felt at the 1986 World Cup soccer tournament in Mexico and the 1983 and 1987 World Championships of Track and Field in Helsinki and Rome, respectively.

A major part of Jones’ legacy is his extensive coverage of college football. He called more than 25 bowl games, including the high-profile 1987 Fiesta Bowl national championship game between Penn State and the University of Miami.

Jones’ excellence wasn’t limited to announcing; he also made an impact as a writer and producer. In 1973, he won an Emmy Award for his work as writer, producer, and host of the documentary, “Is Winning the Name of the Game?” His ability to create compelling narratives extended beyond live broadcasts to documentary filmmaking, showing his broad skill set in the world of sports media.

Additionally, Jones co-wrote, co-produced, and co-hosted the award-winning PBS series “The American Frontier” with former NFL player Merlin Olsen. This series was one of many examples of Jones’ versatility and ability to reach audiences through different forms of media.

Throughout his career, Jones earned recognition for his contributions to sports broadcasting. In 1997, he was honored with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Arkansas Sportscaster & Sportswriter Hall of Fame in 2024.

In retirement, Jones continued to make his mark. He wrote several books on the theme of winning and personal success, including “What Makes Winners Win” (1997), which became a New York Times best-seller, “You Go Girl! Winning the Woman’s Way” (2000), “Be the Ball: A Golf Instruction Book for the Mind” (2000), and “If Winning Were Easy, Everyone Would Do It” (2002). These books not only reflected his deep understanding of sports but also his broader insights into success, motivation and personal development.

Charlie Jones’ broadcasting career stands as a testament to his enduring influence on sports media. From his early days announcing AFL games to his pioneering work with NBC Sports, he remains one of the most influential and respected voices in the history of sports broadcasting. His contributions to both the industry and to his audiences have left an indelible mark on the world of sports and beyond.

Jones died of a heart attack at his home in La Jolla, California, on June 12, 2008, at the age of 77.