Post by TheShadow on Sept 1, 2009 3:50:23 GMT -5
www.record-bee.com
By Brian Sumpter -- Record-Bee sports editor
Updated: 08/31/2009 10:49:53 PM PDT
BUCKINGHAM -- He never played a down for the Oakland Raiders, but he was one of the most easily identifable Silver & Black members in the team's storied history.
You might not know him by name, but you certainly knew the voice. How could you not?
Bill King announced the most memorable plays in the Raiders' history from 1966-1992. He was manning the microphone for the "Holy Roller," the "Immaculate Reception," and the "Ghost to the Post," and he called all three of the Raiders' Super Bowl victories.
King, who died on Oct. 18, 2005, at the age of 78, is also an Oakland and Bay Area legend for his radio work with the Philadelphia and later Golden State Warriors, and for his 25 years with the Oakland Athletics.
His famous "Holy Toledo!" call was his trademark and will surely live on forever.
On Saturday, many of King's biggest admirers were teeing it up at Buckingham Golf and Country Club for the 13th annual Pepsi Celebrity Skins Shootout. Most were all too happy to remember a man they admired, respected and loved.
"Everybody loved him," former Oakland quarterback Kenny Stabler said of King. "He was like a part of the team."
While a great announcer, King wasn't necessarily a fashion plate, according to Stabler.
"He'd come into the locker room wearing flip-flops and shorts, I think he lived on a boat in Sausalito," Stabler said. "He'd ask us what we were going to try and do that day (against an opponent)."
Memories of King's calls still echo in Stabler's mind.
"I hear those calls today when they play the reruns and it raises the hair on my arms," Stabler said.
Former star linebacker Rod Martin said he also gets goose bumps when he hears an old radio clip of King.
"He was the one and only Bill King," Martin said. "There has been no other voice like his since he left us. He was distinguished, one of the great ones like Howard Cosell, Vin Scully, one of the true greats."
One of the things Martin most admired about King was his willingness to tell it like it is. In other words, he wasn't a homer.
"He wasn't going to sugarcoat it if we weren't playing well," Martin said. "If we stunk, he said so."
Kenny King, a former Raiders running back, said Bill King wasn't almost part of the team.
"He was a part of the team," King said. "He should have had his own number, that's how much we thought of him.
"Bill was one of those guys you were lucky to know. When he passed, that was a very sad day. A legend died. Look at Super Bowl XV. The way he described it was a portrait."
"He was strictly an All-Pro," former Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica said of Bill King.
"He was one-of-a-kind, best-of-the-best. The words just flowed off the tip of his tongue," Lamonica said.
"He was knowledgeable, he always did his homework. He knew the teams and he knew what plays were coming. He was always on top of it. That's what makes him so special," Lamonica added.
Former Raiders running back Marv Hubbard, who doesn't hold most announcers -- then or now -- in high esteem, said King was one of the few exceptions.
"Anyone can tell you what you're looking at on TV because you can see it," Hubbard said. "On the radio you have to create an image in people's minds because they can't see what's going on. Bill did that. He developed a style, a unique style and I really enjoyed listening to him. It was like you were there watching it yourself."
Hubbard said he also appreciated King's ability to add excitement without overhyping a critical play with too many unnecessary words.
"He was part of the excitement and didn't take away from the moment," Hubbard added. "I miss that (today)."
By Brian Sumpter -- Record-Bee sports editor
Updated: 08/31/2009 10:49:53 PM PDT
BUCKINGHAM -- He never played a down for the Oakland Raiders, but he was one of the most easily identifable Silver & Black members in the team's storied history.
You might not know him by name, but you certainly knew the voice. How could you not?
Bill King announced the most memorable plays in the Raiders' history from 1966-1992. He was manning the microphone for the "Holy Roller," the "Immaculate Reception," and the "Ghost to the Post," and he called all three of the Raiders' Super Bowl victories.
King, who died on Oct. 18, 2005, at the age of 78, is also an Oakland and Bay Area legend for his radio work with the Philadelphia and later Golden State Warriors, and for his 25 years with the Oakland Athletics.
His famous "Holy Toledo!" call was his trademark and will surely live on forever.
On Saturday, many of King's biggest admirers were teeing it up at Buckingham Golf and Country Club for the 13th annual Pepsi Celebrity Skins Shootout. Most were all too happy to remember a man they admired, respected and loved.
"Everybody loved him," former Oakland quarterback Kenny Stabler said of King. "He was like a part of the team."
While a great announcer, King wasn't necessarily a fashion plate, according to Stabler.
"He'd come into the locker room wearing flip-flops and shorts, I think he lived on a boat in Sausalito," Stabler said. "He'd ask us what we were going to try and do that day (against an opponent)."
Memories of King's calls still echo in Stabler's mind.
"I hear those calls today when they play the reruns and it raises the hair on my arms," Stabler said.
Former star linebacker Rod Martin said he also gets goose bumps when he hears an old radio clip of King.
"He was the one and only Bill King," Martin said. "There has been no other voice like his since he left us. He was distinguished, one of the great ones like Howard Cosell, Vin Scully, one of the true greats."
One of the things Martin most admired about King was his willingness to tell it like it is. In other words, he wasn't a homer.
"He wasn't going to sugarcoat it if we weren't playing well," Martin said. "If we stunk, he said so."
Kenny King, a former Raiders running back, said Bill King wasn't almost part of the team.
"He was a part of the team," King said. "He should have had his own number, that's how much we thought of him.
"Bill was one of those guys you were lucky to know. When he passed, that was a very sad day. A legend died. Look at Super Bowl XV. The way he described it was a portrait."
"He was strictly an All-Pro," former Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica said of Bill King.
"He was one-of-a-kind, best-of-the-best. The words just flowed off the tip of his tongue," Lamonica said.
"He was knowledgeable, he always did his homework. He knew the teams and he knew what plays were coming. He was always on top of it. That's what makes him so special," Lamonica added.
Former Raiders running back Marv Hubbard, who doesn't hold most announcers -- then or now -- in high esteem, said King was one of the few exceptions.
"Anyone can tell you what you're looking at on TV because you can see it," Hubbard said. "On the radio you have to create an image in people's minds because they can't see what's going on. Bill did that. He developed a style, a unique style and I really enjoyed listening to him. It was like you were there watching it yourself."
Hubbard said he also appreciated King's ability to add excitement without overhyping a critical play with too many unnecessary words.
"He was part of the excitement and didn't take away from the moment," Hubbard added. "I miss that (today)."