Well, y’know, in them big cities and on them sports channels, there’s a whole lotta folks who talk ‘bout sports, tell ya who’s playin’, who’s winnin’, and sometimes, even what went wrong. And lemme tell ya, some of the best folks doin’ this work are African American announcers. They’s a bunch of ‘em, real good at what they do, and they got their own style. Don’t matter if it’s football, basketball, or somethin’ else, they’s always there, puttin’ in their heart and soul into that microphone. Now, let me tell ya ‘bout some of these folks that’s made their mark.
Jalen Rose is one of them names you just gotta know. He’s been around the sports talkin’ scene for a long time. Played basketball in the NBA first, but now he spends his days on TV talkin’ basketball and other sports too. You can catch him on ESPN, where he don’t just tell you who’s winnin’, but also gives you that insight into what’s really goin’ on. He’s got that way of makin’ things easy to understand, so even folks like me, who ain’t always watchin’ the game, can get the picture. People like Jalen help make sports more fun to watch, ‘cause they talk to ya like they’re sittin’ right beside ya.
Now, Michael Strahan, he’s another big name in the world of sports announcin’. Used to play football in the NFL, and now, he’s a regular on the morning show, Good Morning America, but don’t let that fool ya. He still loves his sports. He’s done a lotta work with the NFL, and folks love him ‘cause he’s got that big ol’ smile and a way of talkin’ that makes ya wanna listen. He’s funny, smart, and can break down a play like no one else.
Pam Oliver, now she’s one of the top women sports reporters, and she’s been doin’ it for years. You see her at them big games, holdin’ that microphone and askin’ all the tough questions. She don’t shy away from nothin’—whether it’s football, basketball, or anything in between. You can trust Pam to get to the heart of the story, and she’s been around long enough to know just how to handle the pressure of them big games.
Reggie Miller, well, he’s a name that folks in the basketball world sure know. Played for the Indiana Pacers back in the day, and now he’s up in the announcer booth, callin’ games and givin’ folks his expert opinion on what’s happenin’ out there on the court. Reggie’s got a way of talkin’ that makes you feel like you’re right there with him, watchin’ the game up close. He’s a big deal in the world of basketball commentatin’, that’s for sure.
Now, there’s other folks like Lisa Salters, who’s been doin’ her thing on ESPN for a long time. She’s known for gettin’ the real story, and she does it with class. Always out there at the big events, makin’ sure that the world knows what’s goin’ on. People respect Lisa, and she’s one of them names that’s become synonymous with sports journalism.
There’s a whole lotta folks in this category, and they all bring somethin’ special to the table. Like Lowell Perry, he was the first Black NFL commentator. Now, that’s somethin’, ain’t it? He didn’t just pave the way for himself, but for all the folks who came after him. And then there’s Jocko Maxwell, the first Black radio sports broadcaster. These folks was trailblazers, and they didn’t just help make history—they helped change the whole game when it comes to sports announcin’.
Eric Kendricks, well, he’s a linebacker for the Vikings, but he’s also been known to talk ‘bout the history of African American announcers in football. He talks ‘bout the struggles and the triumphs of folks like Lowell Perry, and how they opened up doors for others to follow. It’s important to know where you come from, and Eric don’t forget the ones who laid the foundation.
So, when ya watch them games on TV or listen to ‘em on the radio, remember there’s a lotta African American folks out there who been workin’ hard, breakin’ down barriers, and bringin’ the excitement of sports right to our homes. They’s folks like Jalen Rose, Pam Oliver, Michael Strahan, Reggie Miller, and all them others, who put their heart into their work every single day. And we can’t forget about the ones who came before ‘em, like Lowell Perry and Jocko Maxwell, who made it possible for these folks to shine.
These announcers, they ain’t just talkin’ ‘bout the game—they’re changin’ the way we see it. They’re inspirin’ folks, breakin’ barriers, and makin’ history. And that’s somethin’ worth watchin’, don’t ya think?
Tags：[African American Sports Announcers, Jalen Rose, Michael Strahan, Pam Oliver, Reggie Miller, Lisa Salters, NFL Announcers, Basketball Commentators, Sports Journalism, African American Pioneers in Sports]
