How many play play announcers put as much enthusiasm into describing a streaker on the field , a cat scoring a touchdown or reading promos? Kevin Harlan has become famous for it but his popularity mainly stems from his fast pace and extremely upbeat approach to calling a game, whether it’s a regular season contest in the NBA or the Super Bowl which he will broadcast for a 13th straight year for Westwood One.
Harlan’s career has had an arrow pointing straight up starting in college when he was tapped to do a pre, in game and post game show for the Kansas City Chiefs radio network. He was just 21 but from there, became the voice of the Chiefs, the first play by play guy for the Minnesota Timberwolves and one of sports busiest and most prominent broadcasters.
In part one of this delightful interview, Harlan discusses his love of planes, his now famous calls of the streaker and cat and how he became enamored of a business he’s now become so respected for.
Tell me a story I don’t know is proudly sponsored by Vienna Beef, makers of Chicago’s hot dog and an institution since 1893 (viennabeef.com). By Dynamic Manufacturing, Honor the legacy, pioneer the future. (Dynamicmanufacturinginc.com). Also by Saranow law group, top notch real estate people aimed at saving you lots of money (Saranow.com). By Bet US, a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades. They’re at betus.com. And by the Paulina market, purveyors of the finest meats and much more in Chicago since 1949. (paulinamarket.com)
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