AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMy Memories of Munson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Where do you start?
With a few mere words on a computer screen, how do you adequately sum up the career of man who, unbeknownst to him, provided a big chunk of the sound track that has defined your life?
Like most people, I’ll never forget the day I first came face to face with Larry Munson. It was Oct. 11, 1975. Georgia was playing a road game at Ole Miss and I was a rookie reporter working for the Red and Black, the UGA student newspaper. Back then a member of the R&B staff got to travel with the team in order to cover the game. Coach Dan Magill saw to that. For a little boy from Union Point, Ga., this was a big deal. A really big deal.
As a green reporter should do, I arrived at Hemingway Stadium (John Vaught’s name would not be added until 1982) ridiculously early. But when I got to the press box, sitting outside in the stands waiting for somebody to open it, there was Larry Munson.
He didn’t say hello. He just looked at me and said:
“Hey, kid. You realize that we’re in big trouble over here today.”
He was right. Georgia lost 28-13.
Like most of you who grew up following Georgia football, I remember where I was and what I was doing when Larry made many of his now-famous calls:
• On Nov. 3, 1973 I was driving between Union Point and Statesboro where I was attending Georgia Southern. I had just made up mind that I was going to transfer to Georgia and attend journalism school because I had this silly idea that I wanted to be a sports writer. That’s when I heard Larry say: “My god! Georgia has just beaten Tennessee in Knoxville!” Andy Johnson had picked up a bobbled handoff on a bounce and scored to give Georgia a 35-31 win.
• On Nov. 8, 1975, I was in the dearly departed Fifth Quarter Lounge on the Atlanta highway in Athens with about 8 million other students watching the Georgia-Florida game on a big screen. Tight end Richard Appleby stopped, planted his foot and threw to Gene Washington for an 80-yard touchdown and a stunning 10-7 win over the Gators. Munson’s call that Washington was “thinking of Montreal and the Olympics” and that the “girders were bending” at the old Gator Bowl, was played over and over and over in Athens the following week. People could not get enough of it. That’s when Magill and the powers that be knew that they were on to something and started saving Larry’s calls.
• In 1978 I was working for the newspaper in Greensboro, N.C. There was no Internet and no way to listen to Georgia football. But if Georgia played on a Saturday night, you could get WSB radio all the way up there. That is how I got to hear Munson’s call of the 24-17 win at LSU and Rex Robinson immortal winning field goal, where Munson just screamed “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” to beat Kentucky 17-16 in Lexington.
• I can’t remember the date. But I can remember calling my mother back home in Georgia and asking her just to put the phone down next to the radio so I could listen to Munson call the game for a little while. That little while turned out to be over an hour. She didn’t completely understand why her son wanted to run up his long-distance bill just to listen to a man talk about a football game. But like all good mothers do she accommodated me.
• On Nov. 8, 1980, I was in Tallahassee, Fla. on assignment for my North Carolina newspaper when Georgia and Florida played a couple of hours down I-10 in Jacksonville. I had a game that night and part of me thought about driving over and trying to make it back. But instead I sat in a small room in the Econo-Lodge and watched the game. When Buck Belue hit Lindsay Scott for the most famous touchdown in Georgia history, I jumped out of my chair and my fist went right through a hanging lamp and just destroyed it.
My first thought was that I was going to have to pay for a lamp. My second thought was that I had to hear Munson’s call because my understanding of that play, as big as it was, would not be complete I had heard what Larry said. The words “Man, is there going to be some property destroyed tonight!” became a part of Bulldog lore.
(Side note: When the hotel manager, a Florida State fan, found out that I broke the lamp while pulling AGAINST Florida, he didn’t make me pay for it.)
• I often tell people that the two happiest days of my life were when I married my bride and when my daughter was born. But No. 3 is Sept. 22, 1984. I had just gotten the job at the AJC as the UGA beat writer and I was at Sanford Stadium covering a big game against Clemson. Understand that growing up my sports writing heroes were Furman Bisher and Jesse Outlar. When I decided to become a sports writer I only had one goal and that was to work for the AJC with those two men. When that game began, Furman was sitting on my left and Jesse was sitting on my right. Needless to say, that was a big day for me.
But what I most remember was trying to listen on my little radio when Munson called Kevin Butler’s 60-yard field goal to beat the Tigers 26-23.
I could go on and on to include “Sugar falling out of the sky” at Auburn in 1982, the “hobnailed boot” in Knoxville in 2001 and Michael Johnson’s catch at Auburn in 2002. But you get the point. Where a lot of people use music to track the various mileposts in their lives, those of us who grew up in Georgia and followed the Bulldogs used Munson’s calls. I am one of the fortunate ones who have been around from his first call in 1966 for Georgia until his last against Central Michigan on Sept. 6. And it has been one helluva ride.
I was speaking in Macon last night when the news broke. And I told the folks there that Larry Munson was as much a part of Georgia football as Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, Sanford Stadium, and Uga. He was the emotional connection between the fans and the program. When they couldn’t be in Athens or on the road and when very few games were on television, Munson was the one who kept that connection alive. Guys like Munson, John Ward (Tennessee), John Forney (Alabama), Bob Fulton (South Carolina) and Jack Cristil (Mississippi State) played a huge role in building SEC football into what it is today. They cannot be replaced.
Larry, if you’re reading today please consider these few words as my thank you note. You will never really know how many lives you have touched and influenced. You certainly had an impact on mine. And for that I will be forever grateful.
If any of you out there have some favorite memories of Munson, I’d love to hear about them.
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Comments
By Tiger Bait
September 23, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
Anthony,
Now we know you are a UGA homer.
2007 National Champs
By Atlanta Gator
September 23, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Larry’s abrupt retirement represents the poignant end of an era. My sympathies to Dawg fans everywhere.
“Stand up, Scout, your father’s passing.”
By Co Sell
September 23, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I always thought his voice was too whiney. I bet he couldn’t do the haltime highlights on the fly either.
By Ricky Felts
September 23, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Getting to ask Larry a question while he did his sports talk on the local Athens tv station circa 1988 while I was at UGA, and driving around in my car all over Nashville, Tn after a game so I could pick up Larry on WSB just to hear his calls after I graduated. Priceless!!
By Pratt
September 23, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
I hate Larry Munsun. As a Gator fan I get to listen to “Run Lindsey Run” every year. But it was good radio to listen to Munsun whimper and blame on the way out of JAX after Spurrior started beating georgia
Florida fans listened to georgia radio after Gator wins just for the pleasure of it. For that, I will miss him.
Yes English majors, small g is intentional.
By bamafan
September 23, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
Mr Munson, my dad was a fan of the dawgs and loved to listen to you on the radio. I was 10 or 11 when I heard you do a bulldog game. My dad was taking me to see a Braves game in the mid-70’s and we were lisiting you do a game on the radio. I live in Nashville and I here a lot of nice things about from the George Plaster show here in Nashville. Good luck in the future and catch a lot of fish!! ROLL TIDE AND GO DAWGS MR MUNSON!!
By FSUNole
September 23, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Hey Pratt, your little ‘g’ may have been intentional but your spelling of ‘Spurrior’ clearly wasn’t. Folks, they will argue with you til their faces or blue but ask them to spell their legendary coach and player’s last name and they fail the spelling test EVERY TIME!
Once a gator, always a gator…..and yes…the little g was intentional there too!
By FSUNole
September 23, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Hey Pratt, your little ‘g’ may have been intentional but your spelling of ‘Spurrior’ clearly wasn’t. Folks, they will argue with you til their faces are blue but ask them to spell their legendary coach and player’s last name and they fail the spelling test EVERY TIME!
Once a gator, always a gator…..and yes…the little g was intentional there too!
By Ed Smothermon
September 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
I remember Larry Munson from the Fifties and early Sixties in Nashville, Tennessee when he broadcast Vandy basketball and football and introduced a young boy to baseball by broadcasting the Nashville Vols baseball games. The Nashville Vols were in the Class AA Southern Association at that time. Even then he was special.
By Jack Mehoff
September 23, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Pratt…..It’s a trade-off, OK? You got to listen to Munson, and now we get to hear Urban whine and blame after a loss to UGA.
By KR
September 23, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
It all depends on perspective I guess. As an Auburn graduate, I’ve never been much of a Munson fan.
But I do understand why he’s so important to Georgia fans. I imagine that yesterday for them was a lot like the day I heard that Jim Fyffe had died. The radio experience is never quite the same.
Best of health to you, Mr. Munson.
By FLA DAWG
September 23, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
WIN THIS ONE FOR THE MUNSON !!
By ChattHills Jacket
September 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Larry and AL could paint a VERBAL PICTURE like no other. If your are a TECH fan you can’t forget “TOE MEETS LEATHER” and if your a UGA fan you can’t forget “Loren What DO YOU HAVE?” Nothing against the new guys on radio but, if they didn’t grow up without TV they can’t use words to describe the game to a non-viewing public very well. Great radio men are like a blind man describing an ORANGE. The Blind Man can make you almost taste the orange as they describe it, but todays radio guys say it is orange, round, and ruff to the touch. WOW, now I know what an ORANGE is. LARRY enjoy the CIGARS and Scotch. You will be missed. signed TECH FAN.
By Andy in Ohio
September 23, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
I remember working a concession stand when I was a teenager, probably around 1997 or 1998. I believe Tennessee was playing in Sanford Stadium that day. Some friends and I were out in front of the concession stand about 2-3 hours before the game started and Munson was walking around, smoking a big cigar and said, “Hey guys!” in that trademark Munson voice as he shook our hands. That made my day, year, and life as a born and raised Bulldawg fan. I’d grown up listening to the guy, and here he was in person doing what seemed to be his weekly ritual of walking around the stadium. I remember his calls of the hobnailed boot, Michael Johnson’s catch, etc.. So many games, so many great calls, and so many great memories. Here’s to a legend, and I hope that UGA can put up something special for him.
By Rebel fan
September 23, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
As a long suffering Ole Miss alum who married a Georgia Peach and into the Dawg family I have come to love and appreciate you Larry Munson. My father in law thinks the world of you, and like Tony, has been around for every call you ever made. I really don’t think that he even knows what Verne Lundquist sounds like. All the non-jort wearing fans of the SEC can appreciate you and everything you did for your school. Good luck, and catch all the fish you can! Florida sucks!
By quaildawg
September 23, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
As much as I love GA Football I also love to hunt and on Saturdays when I was on hunting trips I would always tune in to hear Munson. Two vivid memories (or calls) I had were once in 79’ UGA vs. SC. SC had George Rogers and they were running all over the Dawgs. A friend and I were listening to the game during a break from hunting and Munson in his dry, pessimistic way said, “and here comes South Carolina up to the line against that Dawgggg tired defense” Funny you would mention breaking the lamp Tony as I was with some friends outside Thomson, GA and we went into Russell’s, a longtime bait and tackle store next to Clarks Hill Lake, before we headed to the woods for an afternoon hunt. We had been watching the game on TV but headed out in the second half and with GA down it didn’t look good. The lady in the store had the radio on and when Belue and Scott hooked up I jumped up and hit the overhead cigarette holder at the counter and knocked cigarettes everywhere. I was apologizing and helping her clean up the mess I had made and she said, ” don’t apologize, How Bout Them Dawgs!!!” Larry is the only GA announcer I have known in my lifetime. God Bless you Larry and good hunting and fishing to you!!!
By FLoutlaw
September 23, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Well here is one Gator fan who would like to give best wishes to Larry. Sports on the radio down south has been one of my treasures. I can drive for days, if there is a good game on the radio. It is possible to love and pull for your team, without hating the other guys. Sorry we lost Skip this year, and sorry that its time for Larry to retire.
By The Real Roswell Ed
September 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I’m an AU fan and also a fan of talk radio and radio sports broadcasts.
Since I was born here I grew up listening to both Al and Larry.
I remember Saturday afternoons sitting around the pool or working in my grandfather’s yard with the sound of those two as the background noise of my autumns.
Whether I was pulling for their teams or mostly against them I could always count on their audio entertainment.
No disrespect to Mr Munson but nobody sounded sweeter than him calling a UGA loss.
You’d think he was doing the play by play of the lancing of one of his own boils.
Televising 1000 games a week certainly has done more good than bad for the game but those lazy Saturday afternoons spent listening to Al, Larry and Skip call games will always be some of my best memories.
By shane #1
September 23, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I started listening to Larry in 19——-?hell, I don’t remember not listening to Larry. No one could paint the picture like Munson. Munson could always make a game sound exciting. I got off work one Saturday and heard munson’s ” can the dawgs hold’em?” and the opponent was trying to drive for a TD. Of course Munson could not be bothered with mundane trivia as the score. I rushed home sweating bullets as the Dawgs made a desperate goal line stand. I heard Munson call a defenders name that I didn’t recognize and thought UGA had major injury problems. Munson’s voice sounded like the voice of doom. Sliding into the driveway with tires screeching I rushed into the house and to the TV, to see that the Dawgs had a nice cushion and were playing the second and third strings. That was Munson, and yes the games did lose a lot onthe tube.
By SC Rules!!!
September 23, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Mr. Munson, I may be a USC Trojan fan, but I am also a FAN of college football as a whole. I have enjoyed on several occasions either hearing you call a game for the DAWGS or just a few highlites on Sports center. You are a credit to your profession and to the University of Georgia! Enjoy your retirement and I hope to hear you make a guest appearance in Miami as my Trojans go at it with your Dawgs for the NC!!!! Fight On Big DAWG!!!!!
By Brad
September 23, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
TigerBait, any true SEC fan knows that Tony B is a UGA grad. It’s never been a secret, and it’s never kept him from being the best at what he does. Welcome to the party.
Pratt, you’re an embarassment to Gator fans everywhere. Unfortunately every school has jerks like you.
To others whose loyalties lie elsewhere, but still ‘get it’: Your kind words are refreshing and appreciated. Many things transcend college rivalries.
Tony, what a great column. Like you and so many others, I can close my eyes and go back to some of those great calls. Soundtrack of the past indeed.
Larry, THANK YOU!!!
By ChattHills Jacket
September 23, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
LARRY & AL were the best. TV announcers today were raised with TV and can’t paint the mental picture of a game like REAL radio MEN. LARRY could tell you about an ORANGE and you could almost TASTE it through the RADIO. “TOE MEETS LEATHER” and “WHAT DO YOU HAVE LOREN” will forever be burned into the minds of Tech & UGA fans that listened to the games on the BOX with SPEEKERS. If MUNSON is cremated half of his ashes should be put in the UGA Memorial Grave Yard.
By JCubby
September 23, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
I was a just out of UGA journalism school TV news photographer in Greenville SC in 1980, and was listening to Mr. Munson call the GA-FLA game while driving to a house fire. I pulled up to the house fully engulfed in flames as that 4th down play unfolded. I just couldn’t force myself to get out of the car, and listened all the way through the metal chair story. I missed some good flames that day. But it was better than missing the legend at his best. Thanks Larry. Hunker Down.
By Eric1
September 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
I’m no UGA fan by any stretch, but this weekend I’ll be in their corner. I hope they beat the crap outta Dick Saban and company! WDE!!!
By VanDSIRROM
September 23, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Larry says he came to Nashville in 1952. I would have sworn it was 1948. That’s about when I became aware of Vanderbilt football and Nashville Vols baseball and Munson is the only announcer that I remember.
I listened to the Vandy games (football & basketball), the Nashville Vols games, and watched his fishing show on TV.
The only negative that I recall was when he thought the mike was off—it wasn’t—during a Vols game and he let out a string of profanities. He was suspended for a couple of weeks and everybody proptly forgot about it.
I was listening for the “run, Lindsy, run”, “sugar is falling from the sky”, and the “hobnail boot” calls. Great drama.
And to think Vanderbilt never really appreciated the man. Of course, with the Chancellors Vandy had during that era, they didn’t appreciate any thing having to do with athletes.
Thank the Lord for Chancellor Gee and our new Chancellor…and especially for Coach Johnson. If Munson were at Vanderbilt now, he’d never leave.
Thank you Larry Munson for many great memories.
By Spike
September 23, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
One of the fondest memories I have while at UGA and still to this day was listening to Larry call the 1978 UGA-Kentucky game on the radio at the Sigma Chi house. “REX ROBINSON OUT OF MARIETTA, GEORGIA…” and the 1978 UGA-Tech game when Buck Belue came in as a freshman to lead UGA back to a 29-28 victory. One of the greatest games I ever saw and heard from Larry. Thanks for the memories.
By GaDawg59
September 23, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
I have listened to Larry since he started calling games for UGA. Besides Scott Howard and I believe Dave O’Brien called a game once years ago, Larry is the only announcer most of us know. He gets us excited and causes us to worry and cling on as much as he does himself. He is as much part of the Dawg Nation as anyone. I think we identify with him because he is one of us. He bleeds red and black. He lives and dies with the Dawgs. He is and always will be the voice of the Bulldawg Nation. He is like a grandfather figure or a Uncle who can tell stories for hours and keep us at attention wanting to hear more. Most of us do not know Larry personally but he brought his voice into our lives and we all feel like we do know him. He is family and he is a friend. I will miss Larry and it will never be the same without him. I like Scott and Eric and think they do a fine job. We need to give them our support. I hope Larry enjoys himself and is able to do what he likes. I hope his health improves and I am sure he will be listening to the Dawgs. I read the blogs last night and saw some of the bashing towards Larry. How can anyone bash Larry Munson? If you do not have anything good to say then perhaps you should keep your comments to yourselves. Larry is a living legend and any announcer on the radio or tv will attest to it. Listen to the praise of his peers. He is unique and one of a kind and I for one, a small part of the Bulldawg Nation will greatly miss him.
Go Dawgs
By JP
September 23, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
As a Gator fan living in Atlanta since 1994 I used to listen to UGA games on the radio if there wasn’t a Gator game on.
I can honestly say that I liked listening to Larry Munson, and SEC foootball, heck CFB in general will be less special without him. Good luck to Mr. Munson and his familly in his retirement.
By azcat225
September 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Tiger Bait and Pratt, if you’re not chronologically 15 years old, you da*n sure act like it. Stupid is as stupid does…
Great column, Tony. I’m sure you probably had to pause a time or two to let your eyes clear. Where the heck did that smoke come from, any way?
Mark Bradley has an equally wonderful piece online today, also. Just goes to show how deep the feelings run for Mr. Munson.
The best tribute the Dawgs could give The Voice would be a big win on Saturday.
Best wishes for a happy retirement and lots of fish on the stringer, Mr. Munson.
By srcdawgrome
September 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Thanks Larry, We love you!!!!!!
By Lyle Bremser
September 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Finally…….I never understood why Munson was so popular. He had reached Harry Carey the realm with his senility long ago. Even before that, I could never understand what was going on in a game because he would just stop:
Alabama has us backed up to the 17 yard line…..Quincy back to pass…………..They score on an interception……
Even I can do better than that.
By 1eyedJack
September 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
I feel as if someone just stepped on my face with a hobnail boot. Love you Larry. Good luck at the fishin’ hole.
By Jack
September 23, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
While living in FL during the Spurrier years a local station had Larry on their afternoon sports call in show during GA/FL week. I called and made a passionate case to Larry about why Georgia would shock the Gators and win the game. When I finished Larry paused for a few seconds and in that famous growl said “You DON”T believe that.” I could only confess that I did not.
By Heyberto
September 23, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
They don’t call ‘em like he did anymore. He got away with saying things that they suspend people for today. How I miss the old days. I already miss Larry.
By Joey
September 23, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Tony & Larry,
I’m 51 now, but when I was a kid (late 60’s/early 70’s), I listened to many games with my dad, a UGA grad of 1959. We lived in Charlton County, which borders Fla a few miles north of Jax. There was only AM radio, so when the Dawgs had night games, we had to drive up on the HWY US 1 overpass and pull over to the road side to get the radio signal. I remember occasionally folks would stop to offer assistance, then drive off laughing when they heard the radio blasting Larry. During close games, Larry would make us even more nervous with his “Dogs hanging on by a thread, clinging to 3 pt lead!”. Dad and I would pace up and down the highway with the radio volume maxed up.
Larry, thanks for this memory, and dozens more.
By Spike
September 23, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Hey! If you all cannot say something nice, just shut up. Now is not the time.
By YUP
September 23, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
What I like about Larry was he was us.He was a fan! We could feel, smell, hear and see the game, and then listen to Larry put in into prose that would last forever. I’ll miss Georgia’s greatest fan!
By SouthGARules
September 23, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
I used to listen to Larry’s radio show with Gary McKee in the afternoons on WSB. This was when McKee was in between 94Q & Z93. I used to get a kick out of Larry going off on tangents & telling about the movies he would go see. I met him once at a Kroger and a very humble man. Good luck to you, Larry.
By Gen Neyland
September 23, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
The Longest Yard is the one when an individual hangs up his hat… From my youth in Nashville and some distant memories of Commodore games on the transistor radio to living in Georgia and listening to UGA games with Larry, this unasuming outdoorsman and WWII vet from Minnesota is among the best to sit behind a mic… Early Happy Birthday, Larry…BTW, I’m still pulling hobnails outta my face…
By BAMMAR
September 23, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
We will miss you dearly Mr Munson. Growing up in Georgia you have been a part of everyone’s lives in this state. You are the only thing I like about UGA. A big Roll Tide and Go Dawgs to you SIR!
By Kendawg
September 23, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
As a UGA grad, I must admit I’m very biased in my opinion toward Larry Munson. He may not have been technically the greatest announcer, but he would have you on pins and needles with his unmatchable style. Hanging on by a thread, even when we were pounding the other team. And he always described the other team as being faster and bigger than our best players. We will surely miss a legendary broadcaster. I just hope that UGA can do something appropriate to honor him. Renaming the press box is not a bad idea.
By Nick Joseph
September 23, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
I am a South Carolina fan aged 59. Never wrote to any blog until now. Used to travel South Carolina and Georgia as a salesman back in the early 80’s and would tape Georgia games so that I could listen to Larry’s call during the long drives. Time after time I would listen to the call of the Auburn game when Del Greco, the greates kicker in the history of college football miss five field goals to allow the Dawgs the win. Same as the call when Hershel ran over the Tennessee d-back for his first Georgia touchdown. His calls, along with Bob Fulton’s of the Gamecocks will always be a part of me. “Now, lets set the scene from the little town on the plains. Here come the Dawgs, white shirts, red helmets and OH THOSE SILVER BRITCHES”. Simply the best.
By Woof Woof
September 23, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
As the son of an Irish Catholic from Kentucky, whose mother’s cousins played for JoePa I was quite conflicted when the good Lord deposited my family in West Central GA in 1980.
My early formative years were spent watching Cavanaugh and Dorsett, Joe Montana and Chuck Fusina.
When we moved to GA, it appeared all of our neighbors were Auburn season ticket-holders and my father and I were invited often to watch James Brooks, Joe Cribbs and company in SEC tilts.
In spite of all of that, at the age of 9, I became my own man and a fan of UGA football. Why? One man…..Larry Munson. I don’t remember if it was WDAK or WRCG, but Larry’s gravely voice was a Saturday staple for me. My dad’s small black radio sat out on the back porch pegged at ‘11’ so I could hear Larry while I cut the grass, raked the leaves, spread pinestraw (or whatever yardwork the season required). Cutting the grass - a chore which should have lasted less than an hour - often took more than 2, as everytime the bag needed to be emptied, I’d walk over near the radio and sit down next to Larry on that black box and get sucked in…
Having moved away from the South some 6 years ago, one of my great disappointments was not being able to listen to Larry call the Dawgs’ games anymore. And one of my happiest recent moments was the day the SEC announced their contract with XM Radio. I could hear Larry once again. All was right with the world. And my Saturdays felt right once again.
I’ve read that the sense of smell is our most-developed sense is most-often connected with memory. Not for me. Hearing Larry once again these last two years allowed me to smell the scent of fresh-cut bermuda grass on an October day in my parents’ back yard; to feel the warmth of the dry autumn sun and hear the crunch of sweetgum leaves under my feet; to feel the prick of pine needles against my forearms once again.
Larry is a true American treasure. And whether or not he knows it, one of my very best friends - in spite of the fact that I’ve never met him.
Larry, I hope all your remaining days are blessed with big fish and lots of birds.
Go Dawgs!
By TrueCrimson
September 23, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
I am not really familiar with Larry’s work, but I do understand the magnitude of this loss to the Georgia fan base.
I am old enough to recall when most college football games were not televised and we relied on the radio to connect us with the games that we couldn’t attend. The best of the old-school radio announcers could make you feel as if you were right there at the stadium.
For older Bama fans, listening to John Forney seemed like having an old friend come to visit on a Fall Saturday afternoon.
I know that Auburn fans miss that horrible ;-) Touchdown Auburn! call from Jim Fyffe. I’m sure that Georgia fans will miss Larry Munson.
So Larry, a toast to you:
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
By Beth
September 23, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
I was 7 years old in 1980 and clearly remember my Mom breaking the light hanging in our living room because she jumped out of her chair when Lindsey Scott caught that pass and ran it in for TD. Still my favorite call.
Recently, I was in Minneapolis and was able to listen to Larry call the UGA v. GA Southern game over the internet. How appropriate since I now know he’s from Minneapolis.
God Bless, Larry.
By James
September 23, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
It didn’t have the one defining remark of some other great moments but for sheer ongoing intensity it’s hard to top Munson’s call of the finish in Lexington in ‘78. Counting down the clock in gut-wrenching style…communicating urgency like no announcer I’ve heard before or since. “…a minute and three seconds…a minute and TWO!” The crazy asides that came from nowhere “…the whole stadium standing trying to make us make a mistake. Well, some of them are upside down but they’re TRYING to stand.” And finally, the drama, “the whole game coming down to THIS.” I was a student then and it was the most exhilarating, maddening, gut-wrenching thing I’d ever listened to. Bravo, Larry. Thank you.
By Spike
September 23, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Woof Woof.. Well said.
By Fat Matt Stafford
September 23, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Should have died years ago.
By murfdawg
September 23, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
When the dawgs were on tv, I would put a radio in the room to listen to Munson and turn off the sound of the network announcers. He was a special man in a special time of Dawg football. I am glad I had the priveledge to listen to his calls.
By Pratt Hater
September 23, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Pratt, you are one stupid son of a B***. Why take a cheap shot at an 86 year old man who is retiring from something he loves?….And just because he works at another institution vs some team you enjoy watching because they have won a few championships..Becasue we all know you are not smart enough to actually attend UF. I Tell you something better, I will meet you down in Jax this year and beat the crap out of you! You sorry, classless piece of s**!
By Pratt Hater
September 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Pratt, you are one stupid son of a B***. Why take a cheap shot at an 86 year old man who is retiring from something he loves?….And just because he works at another institution vs some team you enjoy watching because they have won a few championships..Becasue we all know you are not smart enough to actually attend UF. I Tell you something better, I will meet you down in Jax this year and beat the crap out of you! You sorry, classless piece of s**!
By Villadawg
September 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Larry. You probably don’t recall this but you and Grizzard sang happy birthday to me on my 30th. I was just overwhelmed. Thanks for the memories.
By IM4BAMA
September 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
I appreciate the end of this era for Mr.Munson and Georgia fans everywhere. His voice is a part of you and your memories and may the memories last forever.
It’s seems like Georgia will be pulling out every motivational factor it can when it faces the Crimson Tide Saturday night. “Let’s break out the black shirts” and “this one’s for Larry”, “this is our house”, “for the SEC”,”for the National Title”, “for your momma”.
It’s best that Mr.Munson doesn’t have to call the UGA game this Saturday night, because none of that stuff is going to help stop the loss that’s coming from Bama.
Roll Tide Roll
By NW GA Dawg
September 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
I’ve posted my tributes on the other blogs so here I first want to say “thank you!” to Tony for a great article—and to the AJC Sports staff for the other stories (Bradley and all, thanks to you guys too). I’m sure the school will do something special for Larry.
By the way, early birthday wishes to you, Larry. May God bless you with many more.
There are too many “favorite” moments and it’s hard to narrow down to just one; however the “hobnail” game (2001 UT) comes to mind because it’s a “later” classic of Larry’s but it’s funny how I experienced it. I’d been watching the game on TV and it was being played in Knoxville. We hadn’t beaten Tennessee in Knoxville since 1980 and this game was SO close I couldn’t stand to watch, so I got in my car and drove around town (Rossville near Chattanooga). I was listening to Larry’s calls in the house but I could not watch that TV… Then UT scored a very late go-ahead touchdown on an unlikely 50-something yard screen pass. They were probably trying to get a key first down but the play kept going and going. Larry was out of sorts—as was I! And then the Dawgs had one more try facing a very long field and an “impossible” drive. Old Neyland was rocking, the UT bank was blaring Rocky Top and we were beat—it seemed. And then the Dawgs came roaring down the field and a field goal wouldn’t save them. It had to be for 6. They were inside the UT 5 with only one play left and then I heard Larry screaming that we scored on a wide open Haynes catch in the middle of the checkerboard. UGA beat UT in Knoxville. It turned out to be a signature moment in the Richt era. I’ll never forget driving around honking my horn like it was VJ Day.
Thanks Larry.
By hob nailed boot
September 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
The one thing I remember about Larry is we stepped on them with a hobnailed boot, we broke their nose, we crushed their face!
Sorry guys. I hate to spoil the lovefest but this was the most classless thing I’ve ever heard an announcer say about their opponent. Could there be an example of poorer sportmanship than that crap? No. I’m not a Vol fan. I just can’t understand how people respect a man who says crap like that about their opponent on the air. I hope this is not representative of what the Dawg nation considers to be classy or good sportsmanship.
I don’t wish ill will on the man. I hope his health improves and that he enjoys a long and fruitful retirement. But he is not one to be admired in this house.
By OhioDawg
September 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
God Bless you Larry Munson. May your retirement be fruitful for fishing and hunting. You will be sorely missed.
UGA should erect a statute of you on the Sanford Drive bridge so all of us in the stadium can see it every home game and remember the fond memories you have given us.
By Old Dawg
September 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I remember in the mid-80s when Florida was on probation and the Cocktail party wasn’t on TV. Florida was ranked No.1 in the country and I had on headphones as I worked in the yard. Every time Georgia broke loose with a long touchdown run I’d leap up with my touchdown signal and dance around my Savannah yard while Larry made the plays Herculian Feats. My elderly next door neighbor finally came over and asked me if I was having “mental problems?” But when she saw the head phones, she knew I was listening to Larry.
In 1981 I attended my college roomate’s wedding at St. John’s Episcopal in Savannah. All the groomsmen and best man had ear plugs listening to the UT-Georgia game in Athens. When the priest saw that the best man had the earplugs, he ripped them out of Billy Pedrick’s ears and said: “I’m conducting this ceremony, not Larry Munson.”
So many great memories, so many great stories. Dear Larry, we will sorely miss you!
On a side note, Tony I am very upset that the AJC has laid you off. I know you will continue to work as a free lancer, but this is a sad era for print journalism. You are a great writer, great football analyst and a better person. I hope your life continues to go well.
By Maroonbulldog
September 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I will always take Jack Cristil any day- that man is a legend right there with Mr. Munson. However- the games I was fortunate enough to listen to Larry call were great- one game in particular about all of Bamas BEEF coming to the line. Their beef was whipping Georgia all night- the best part was when Georgia won the game. It was great listening to him call that- my wife and I still crack up thinking about that!
Good luck Mr. Munson!
By merculf
September 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Being an Auburn Alum that grew up in Snellville back in the early 80’s and then moved back to Atlanta, I had to listen to the AU-UGA games on the radio when I couldn’t attend them or they weren’t on TV. I have fond memories of some and not so fond memories of others but will definately miss hearing Larry call the games.
By JDH GT
September 23, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
This is one GT fan that will miss Larry Munson. As much as I love to loathe UGA and everything associated with the imbred pups, it won’t be the same tuning into the Georgia games and not hearing that comforting voice that personifies college football. I’m only 25 years old, so Mr. Munson is all I’ve known. God bless you.
By Joel in ATL
September 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
I just can’t get enough Munson. I would turn down tickets to the game because I didn’t have a little radio to take to the games so I’d rather listen to Larry than be at the game and watch it without Larry. My dad was cheap so I didn’t have cable for a while growing up and I would listen to Larry and I would record the games. When I would get to see the highlights I would compare how it looked to how Munson called it and I was blown away at 8 years old.When I got cable I still had to have Munson because I just had to know what we say and how he would describe the play, just didn’t feel right without him. Yet the very first time I knew Munson was my man was the 1987 Liberty Bowl and John Kasay’s field goal to beat Arkansas (I was 7 years old), yea it was the “great calls” that everybody loves but that game had my dad rushing down a dirtroad in Athens, GA to get in the house before the timeout was over to here the final call o his new stero system made it all worth it. I still have Munson recordings and my girlfriend gets upset saying there you go listening to a football game again where you know what happens and I told her ” Yea but No, I’m listening to Larry Munson and he happens to be calling a footbal game. Munson’s passion had me calling my cousins’ Madden Video games back inthe Sega Genesis days and they always picked at me…until they heard Munson.
Best Wishes Munson, your the best and I’ll miss you but I’ve got a great collection of recorded tapes in a box all labeled so I can listen to you say something crazy about Dick Payne in deep water, or how Dick Payne didn’t want you to light that cigar in teh 4th Qtr of the 1997 Georgia-Florida game. Enjoy your retirement as much as you deserve it but I’ll miss ya!!!
By AGTFan
September 23, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Tony…That was a great article, maybe the best thing you’ve ever written. I could really tell it came from your heart. As a Tech fan, I don’t have good memories of Larry, but I do have the utmost respect. I think he’s one of the all-time great college anouncers. Even though I will always hate UGA, I will remember listening to Larry Munson with affection.
By Michael Abramowitz
September 23, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
For a few years, I was fortunate enough to work Georgia football games in the pressbox and basketball games at center court. I wish I would have been brave enough to say more to Larry back then, as he was very cordial each of the handful of times we spoke, but he was a living legend, and I was awestruck.
I remember how nervous Larry would get hours before games — yet nervous in a good way. He’d walk around the press box or all the way around Stegeman Coliseum to collect his thoughts. After basketball games, I’d then walk over and try to sneak in a listen of his postgame show from the best seat in the house!
Thanks Larry…I can’t tell you how many times I smiled when I heard, “All right. Get the picture if you will….” Hunker Down, for a happy retirement!
By SEC Fan
September 23, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Woof Woof, great post,
Pratt, you’re a JERK!!
Thanks Larry, we will miss you!
By BamaT
September 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Great article as usual. As the username implies I am a big bama fan and actually played there 1998-2001 but, thought I would remind you of Jim Fyffe who was also a great announcer in this league. Love reading your stuff thanks for or work.
By BamaT
September 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Great article as usual. As the username implies I am a big bama fan and actually played there 1998-2001 but, thought I would remind you of Jim Fyffe who was also a great announcer in this league. Love reading your stuff thanks for or work.
By BamaT
September 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Great article as usual. As the username implies I am a big bama fan and actually played there 1998-2001 but, thought I would remind you of Jim Fyffe who was also a great announcer in this league. Love reading your stuff thanks for your work.
By BamaT
September 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Great article as usual. As the username implies I am a big bama fan and actually played there 1998-2001 but, thought I would remind you of Jim Fyffe who was also a great announcer in this league. Love reading your stuff thanks for your work.
By Sicem
September 23, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson was the best at what he did period. Before Direct tv we would turn the television down and turn the radio up just to hear Munson. With the delay of the signal bouncing off a space object that is now hard to do but at times I just go out on the deck and listen to Munson then run into the living room to watch the replay. I will miss you Larry as will the Bulldawg Nation! HUNKER DOWN YOU SILVER BRITCHES JUST ONE MORE TIME!
By Alec
September 23, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Last year, as a senior journalism student at UGA, I had the incredible honor of sitting down with Larry for over an hour in his kitchen as part of a dual feature between the Red & Black newspaper (Barnhart’s old stomping ground) and the Grady College produced “Georgia Gameday” show.
He was slowed by age, for sure, but his wit, memory, and tongue were as sharp as ever. As an aspiring journalist, nothing could ever mean more than sitting with such a poignant and revered subject.
But for a young man who has been raised on the Red & Black, it meant even more. That day, I told Larry that there are three thing I remember from my “childhood” - where I was when I heard Princess Diana died, where I was when the Twin Towers fell, and where I was when I first heard the phrase “hobnail boot.”
No one has meant more for the sport, and Larry will be dearly missed. No disrespect to Scott Howard, but I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to listen to a UGA game on the radio again.
My best to you, Larry, and my deepest thanks for everything.
By Tony Barnhart
September 23, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
To everybody,
Thanks for the great comments about Larry. They are well deserved.
And to Old Dawg…Just so you understand. Let’s be fair to the AJC. They offered a voluntary separation package and I chose to take it. The timing was right for me to explore other opportunities.
The AJC has been great to me and I will continue to do this blog for the rest of this football season on a contract basis. So we’re still going to have a lot of fun together in the coming months.
TB
By foxdog
September 23, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
What a wonderful blessing God gave us when he let us be born in the era of Larry Munson and Al Ciraldo. They didn’t have “FM dj” voices, but thy could paint a picture for a south Georgia boy more beautiful than Picaso or Van Gogh.
By Jim Wright
September 23, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Larry’s last ball game was 28 years to the day after Herschel’s first college game on 9/6/80.
By Jim Wright
September 23, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Larry’s last ball game was 28 years to the day after Herschel’s first college game on 9/6/80.
By gator
September 23, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Overrated, senile jerk. Dude, he’s from Minnesota. No wonder his voice is so annoying. He is terrible at play-by-play, does not give time, score, down, distance….just we this and us that. Terrible…I thought he had died years ago.
By gator
September 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Overrated, senile jerk. Dude, he’s from Minnesota. No wonder his voice is so annoying. He is terrible at play-by-play, does not give time, score, down, distance….just we this and us that. Terrible…I thought he had died years ago.
By Charles Shepard
September 23, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Not really sure why the first post following such a personal and thoughtful blog post has to be so negative. Tony, thanks for sharing. As someone who has grown up with Larry and also lived the dream (albeit briefly) of covering the Dogs while working hard to remain objective as a member of the media I know it is a special, difficult and rewarding experience.
I too know where I was when Larry “didn’t mean to beg Lindsay to run, but (he) had to,” and when Kevin Butler kicked that thing 100 miles. My dad was trying to rock me to sleep during the former (poor guy) and we were there for my first game in Sanford for the latter. I was on a pier in Monoco when the Dogs broke out their hobnailed boots. Dad called me, international rate, on my cell phone.
Like many UGA fans, my house was one that, if we couldn’t be in Athens, would turn the TV volume down and WSB right on up. Lots of special moments with my family are attached to Larry Munson’s gravely voice, which is why I think my eyes get misty when I think of the era coming to an end.
By Marshall Wellborn
September 23, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Larry always had a great sense of humor, and this was displayed often during a cable call-in show he had on local television in Athens in the mid-80’s while I was in school. There was no time delay between the callers comments and the actual audio, so things could get entertaining quickly.
One night, a prankster called and asked Larry if he thought one of Georgia’s offensive linemen, Will Colley, who happened to be red headed, had red pubic hair. Munson, let out that signature chortle of his, and, without missing a step, simply said “Those Tech Fans”. What a classic.
By tom bowden
September 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
TO Prat and all the other Gator “A” Holes:
No more talk about Munson “whining”, okay? His style of broadcasting is not meant to be objective - he is an unapologetic “homer”. Since you clowns didn’t win ANYTHING prior to 1990 it makes sense you can’t appreciate Munson OR tradition.
I live in Florida: don’t talk to me about whining. All I’ve heard since last October’s beat down is how UGA disrespected the gators. Get a life, d*******!! There was STILL 3 and 1/2 quarters left in the game for you to rectify (see Webster’s dictionary) the situation. Why can’t you classless punks just admit you got your asses handed to you that day? And don’t EVEN mention “Saint Timmy’s” shoulder!! Remember when we had to play a third string QB because D.J. Shockley was hurt? For once, be a man and just admit you lost to a better team instead of acting like a bunch of little b***!!
By S Turn
September 23, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Thank you Larry, for all the great calls. And for being the greatest Dawg of us all. No one could ever take your place. You will be forever missed.
By mexdawg
September 23, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I was an eleven year old kid when Larry broadcast his first Georgia game.Back then it wasn’t like today where you have around 20 or 30 games to watch on TV.There were usually only a couple of games on TV each weekend but we had Larry Munson and that was much better than TV.Larry came along about the same time as a young coach named Vince Dooley and they changed Georgia football forever.Larry I will never forget you and the memories you provided.Larry you are the Big Dawg.
By athensdawg
September 23, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
I remember coming home for a lunch break and turning on the radio as we were driving vs. clemson….the phone rang, I picked it up - it was a call for my dad,just when butler was going to kick it 10,000 miles. I answered the call and dropped the phone and started dancing around the kitchen when larry was screaming omg, omg, omg. I had to pick the phone up and apologize to the guy on the other end.
One year I had the pleasure of interviewing larry earlier that season for the high school newspaper. He told me that this was going to be “the blackest season in the history of georgia football.” All we did was go to the cotton bowl and upset texas…..
Tony, no disrespect, but sports were much better then without all the freaking talking heads over analyzing every ounce of sweat that drips off of the players during a game…we had to rely on Larry to “give us the picture,” watch Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles and read Furman Bisher’s analysis on Sunday Morning.
By Greg
September 23, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Growing up in S’ville, SC I have listened to Larry call about 380 games. We can pickup 630 WBMW during the day and WSB at night. All my friends still tell me how crazy I am for bringing my headsets out to listen to Muns. Thanks for all memories. You will be truely MISSED IN CHARLESTON, SC.
THE BIGGEST DAWG FAN IN CHARLESTON
By SWGDawg
September 23, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
A beautiful September afternoon in a peanut/corn field in South Georgia with dove flying everywhere and hearing Larry calling a close Georgia victory, a picture no artist could paint and no sonnet a poet could compose. Thanks Larry for allowing me to enjoy both.
By peggy
September 23, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
I was Tech fan many years ago when I met the die-hard GA fan that was to be my husband. I clung to Tech for awhile but listening to Ed Thilenius (sp?) won me over. Ed was a great announcer, but Larry is the greatest. I’m sad today that we will not have the pleasure of lisitening to him this Saturday but know he will be rooting for his Dawgs. Long life & continued happiness, you voice of the Bulldawgs, you!!
By Robby
September 23, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
I was 12 and living in stone mtn…i wanted to watch georgia play florida but my dad said i had to rake leaves…told me to put on a headset tho and listen to the game on the radio…now i know why…
i remember telling him that it was better than watching the game on tv! needless to say i raked the whole yard while worley and henderson rode roughshod over a talented and i believe no 1 ranked florida team…was a really good day in this boys life…
go dogs!
By Mike
September 23, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
The thing about Larry was tht he always said what I was feeling, before I knew I felt that way! His constant honest attack filled you up with doubt, hope, fear, and love. I will never be able to explain to my children how a voice, on a radio, changed my life and nurtured my love for the game. I have met the man many times and talked about several thngs other than football. He always looked like he knew something you didn’t, but never bosted that he did. With each encounter I found myself filled with respect. The Bulldog Nation has lost more than a mere play by play caller, more than just a piece of history, more than the famous name and voice. They have lost a father, a teacher, a friend. Thank you Larry, Your voice will always be part of my life. I wish you and your family well. When I heard the sad news all I could say was “Holly Shmokes!”
By Bo in N.C.
September 23, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Atl Gator, you showed real class. Thanks! Pratt, gator, Fat Matt Stafford, you are pathetic human beings.
By The ghost of Dorsey Hill
September 23, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
It’s hard to name just one thing.
All his calls are clasics. Although one of the most memorable ones is “there goes Hershel, there goes Hershel, he’s just running guys over!” I was in Athens listening to the UGA / UT game in 1980 with some college frineds getting ready to go to out to Tyrone’s and party when those words were spoken.
back in those days we couldn’t afford tickets to the games so we camped out on the tracks (try to explain the tracks to these kids today). Munson WAS our PA system! He was about the only one who ever seemed to acknowledge the fans on the tracks, to everyone else we were a bunch of unruly hell-rasin radicals. I can remember when GA would score or get a turnover, he’d make a comment like, “look at those guys over there on the tracks … man, are they going bonkers” we took it as an opportunity to get even louder.
I had a friend/frat brother from GA State who worked with Munson at the Georgia News Network back in the 80’s. He would come by the package store where I worked occasionally and we’d talk football. The store owner was a big GT fan. I guess it was after the Clemson Game in 1982 (when my buddy Kevin Bulter kicked the 60 yard field goal), I asked my friend what particular brand Munson liked and I bought a bottle for him to take Larry. A day or so later I came to work and the owner said some guy named “Munson” had called for me and he asked if it was that “so and so” that called the UGA games? I said it probably was since WE had sent him a bottle of his favorite flavored beverage with OUR compliments. He got so mad I thought he was going to stroke out right there!
Larry called back later that night to say “Thanks”, the owner had left and I told him about the conversation with the owner earlier. He asked if we had a botttle of the week club and could he be a member.
There are a two people will ALWAYS stay with me to my dying day, Lewis Grizzard and Larry Munson. They ARE all things Georgia.
Live long, love life, and GO DOGS WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!
By SneakyDawg
September 23, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Opening paragraph articulated what alot of us feel.How do you thank a guy who has given you so much enjoyment? Brilliant. Thank You, Tony. Well done. I would hope a statue goes up quickly in the stadium so Larry can enjoy the moment , and know his legacy will stand there for generations. For you other fans who don’t get it, that’s OK. You didn’t have a Munson.
By telfairgirl
September 23, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Whenever I was unable to be in front of a TV on a Saturday I took comfort in the fact that I could drive all over town and watch the game by listening to Larry Munson in the car. Listening to him I could see the players with their dirt smudged jerseys and see the field with clumps of turf upended and wedged into the players helmets. I could feel the crowd’s energy and smell the spilled alcohol and beer. I would dash out of the car, run to complete an errand and rush back to the car and Larry would be there, waiting for me and sounding dejected whether we were down by 3 or up by 23. My impatience would get the better of me sometimes and I would call a friend and get the score but I didn’t mind. Thank you sir, you taught me football. I now know why people in the stands wore headphones while they watched the game. You made the game
By dawgfan
September 23, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson will be missed as he is the voice of the Dawgs.
And you dont have to like UGA but some people have been terribly spiteful. For the people who said they couldn’t stand listening to him, I have an idea. An intelligent person would actually change the channel. Just a thought. Go Dawgs!
By Dawgforlife57
September 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Great, great memories of Munson. 2002, my wife and I were in the parking lot of a Barnes & Noble listening on the radio in my Bronco. We spent all the fourth quarter in laughter and suspense listening to Munson’s call of Georgia’s victory in the closing seconds. We’ll miss you, Larry!
By Jason, UGA 2006
September 23, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
This is going to sound sort of bizarre, but my most memorable moment listening to Larry Munson was in 1999, when UGA lost to Tech on the Jasper Sanks “fumble”. I had always been a UGA fan, but I had never really experienced the emotional tug-of-war until I heard this game.
I was traveling with my parents from Blairsville back to Buford. As we were crossing Blood Mountain, the radio signal kept going in and out. I was on the brim of my seat trying to understand what was happening as UGA drove down the field for what was supposed to be the game-winning score. Right as the play happened, the signal came in crystal clear and I heard Munson’s description of the fumble. The agony and the anger screamed at me through the radio and I felt like I was right there on the line with the players, devastated that the unfairness had somehow robbed me of my hard work.
It was the first time that I felt like I was part of UGA, and Munson was the one who made it feel that way. When it came time to apply for college in 2002, UGA was the only school I even considered.
There isn’t much you can say about a man like Larry Munson, other than to tell a personal story about how he changed the way you listen to football games. And even if you could find the words to express your gratitude, they would never live up to the reputation of the man who can choose words better than any other.
By Charles Turner
September 23, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Just like a lot of us, listening to a Georgia game without Larry hasn’t been the same. I lived out of state for several years but many times called and had friends put the game on just to hear that voice. My favorite was the Auburn game listening to the entire second half from Dallas, TX and the “Sugar falling from the sky” call. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. Thanks for the memories Larry…
By dawgfan
September 23, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I grew up in South Ga listening to Ed Thilenius and have spent my adult life listening to Larry Munson. Who’s next?
By Sherman
September 23, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
There are so many Munson memories for me, but my favorite was the run Lindsay run. I was at my house with the TV on and turned down with Munson on the radio. My best friend was across the room and my 10 month old daughter was standing and holding on to the chair I was sitting in. She was not walking, yet. About the time THE play happened, I yelled so loud that my daughter took off across the room at a dead run to get to my friend. She’s been walking ever since. Thank you Larry and the Dawgs for so many great memories.
By PTC DAWG
September 23, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Hard to believe that some folks are such jerks. Most are not.
Munson is the best…
By Gator Nation
September 23, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
I wish good luck and good health to Mr. Munson. He was able to paint an incredilby accurate picture of the game whether in victory or defeat. That you could feel his personal emotions is what made his call’s so special.
I hope the fish are biting for ya!
Go Gators
By crackbaby
September 23, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson is an institution. His style, which included not just his unique delivery but his neurotic pre-game paranoia over Powder Puff U.’s left tackle, was almost always entertaining.
Al Ciraldo on the other hand was a terrible play by play announcer. Especially basketball - the worst paid announcer I have ever had to listen to.
Last season, Brad Nessler paid tribute to Munson during a Dawgs home game broadcast and Munson’s voice ran for a play or two with Nessler standing behind him in the pressbox. It was very nice.
By An Old Georgia Dawg
September 23, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
My favorite call Larry ever made for the Bulldogs is one that does not get the same attention that many other calls.
It was the 1978 Georgia - Kentucky game and the Dogs were losing 16 - 14, and trying to get the field goal team lined up with only seconds left.
I was listening on a crackling WSB 750 AM on that Saturday night, straining to hear as Larry said sometning like:
11 - 10 - 9 - we’re trying to get lined up 7 -6 - 5 - I don’t think we are going to make it 3 -2 there’s the snap - the kick is up - watch it , watch it - and then the radio station went to a commercial.
The only way I knew that we won 17-14 was when we came back from commercial and all of the Georgia folks were happy.
If every game had been played and called like that I would be dead now from old age. I am 57 years old.
I treasure that night more than many I have spent with exciting and attractive women, although it was much tougher on my heart.
For those who really want to hear another lesser known Larry Munson classic, I hope you can find a recording of the 1973 Georgia - Tennessee game. Georgia ran a power I that day and won 35 - 31. Andy Johnson scored the winning touchdown on a 5 yard run from a bobbled snap.
That was the first game I remember when Larry let go and it became us verses them. I remember him being more objective before that.
But being a Georgia Bulldog means living and dying with the team. There is no room for objectivity and there was no going back.
When I think of Larry it will always be like my old worn out t-shirt:
“Me and You and a Dog Named Belue.”
By csj
September 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
I took 6 yr old son to the ga tennesse game in 2000.That was the very first and last ga football game i have ever attended.I have been a life long ga fan.I took two radios with headsets with me to that game.We had not beaten Tennessee in 8years at that time.Brady ask me why were taking radios to the game if we were going to be there live.I told him that as i was growing up in south ga that was the only way we could follow the bulldogs.I also said that every ga game would be incomplete without the voice of larry munson.That day my son became a ga fan,and larry munson was the reason.Larry i will be forever grateful to you for all the great memories.Larry i hope all the movies you watch,all the fish you catch brings you as much pleasure as you have brought me.
PS Fat matthew stafford you remind me of an unemployed school teacher.You have no class.
By T'ville Dawg
September 23, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
As a student at UGA (69-73), Larry often stayed with us at the Downtowner Motor Inn where I worked at the desk. If only I knew then that I was in the presence of greatness.
So many memorable calls on the radio. Larry was/is the soul of DAWG fans everywhere.
By Howie
September 23, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Ive never heard a tv broadcast ( picture only) of a Ga Game….Even the last few years when digital transmission replaced the old analog style I disconnected my digital cable box when the ‘Dawgs’ were televised so Larry’s broadcast would be in time with the telecast….I can’t believe he won’t be calling games anymore…What a rotten year for us old radio listeners…We lose Skip for the Braves games and now Larry’s retired….Scott and Eric are fine but Larry IS the voice of the Georgia Bulldogs.
By Dr. H
September 23, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
I have been listening to and attending UGA football games since I was a kid. I remember listening to Ed Thilaneus(?) when in grammar school. I am now 60 years old, did 20 years in the U.S. Army, and have been a dentist for 35 years . During all these years, I have learned that rare talents, no matter what they do, come only once in a lifetime. Larry Munson was one such talent, and there is only one word which can adequately describe him, IRREPLACEABLE.
By davengville
September 23, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
TB, you have so very elequantly written what all of us 50 something plus dawg fans have lived and felt. Thank you and thank GOD for Larry Munson.
Nuff said
By ou7natlchamps
September 23, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
TigerBait…typical lsu fan response. no concept of history or respect for tradition. shouldn’t you be busy with your face paint, thundersticks, or dressing up as batman?
By DC Dawg
September 23, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson was/is one a kind. Even if you don’t like Georgia (not sure how that’s possible) you have to admire Larry’s passion for his team and for college football. The guy bled red and black every Fall Saturday. The only time I ever saw him up close was in 1980. It was the last home game of that championship season and it was also the last game for the “tracks.” We erected a two story scaffold and camped out to get a good spot for the game. The morning of the game we were up there with thousands of others waiting for the game to start. One of my friends lit up a pre-game joint which we’re enjoying amongst ourselves until someone in our group spotted two Georgia state troopers. We put the joint out quickly and as the troopers passed by us we realized that they were up there escorting Larry Munson up to the tracks so he could mingle with the fans. We shook his hand and (best of all) didn’t get arrested,
By mark
September 23, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Munson suckered in his audience for years by exagerating the opponent and making it sound as if UGA was beating the odds. When UGA was down in the 90’s, he was god-awful and boring. OVER-RATED HOMER
By coolaid drinker
September 23, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
As a South Carolina fan and a football fan, I have loved listening to Larry Munson. He is one of the great things about living down south and of southern football. I grew up listening to Larry Munson and to Bob Fulton (The Voice). Both men had different styles. Bob called a game write down the middle. Larry was a homer. These men were the best. Every year in South Carolina, talk shows get bombarded with request for the Larry Monson’s game ending call of the 1992 SC vs. Ga. game. THE PASSION!! “We tackle him..Tannyhill to line LAY DOWN YOU GUYS…watch the clock 18, 17, 16 LAY DOWN YOU GUYS…13,12.. they are going to get a play off 8, 7 Tannyhill hands off WE HIT HIM!! Brandon Bennett a great atelete leaped over the top and broke our hearts”! What a call! Good luck Larry and enjoy your retirement.
By paul
September 23, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
From a VOL FAN that grow up in GA.Larry will always be the king of collage football.I will miss hearing him call the games.Much love Larry
By georgiagirl
September 23, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Tom Bowden you tell them man. IAM4BAMA, gator and mark go back to the hole that you crawl out of. KARMA BABY will bite you in the a@@ for your remarks that are unclassey .
if you don’t have anything nice to say then go away or take a good long look at yourself before you run your mouth about someone. Everything goes around comes around, you will now get yours for you low class remarks
BEST WISHES LARRY YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY LOVE ALWAYS A GEORGIA FAN
By Matt Robiinson
September 23, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson used to call my name and number on many occasions and for that I am forever grateful to many people. My best memory of Larry is when I was the Emcee at the Hall of Fame Inductions held every year in Jacksonville. I was there when Larry was inducted and wondering how so many of us made it into to this particular Hall prior to him…he is as ingrained in UGA football lore as anyone. I remeber sitting with Larry at the head table, having been in broadcasting for a number of years by this time (2005) I was asking him (obviously in a not-so-subtle way) as to when he thought he would retire…his response, “Crimany pete Matt, I’m not even cold in the ground yet…besides, you don’t want to follow me, you want to be the guy that follows the guy that followed me.”
I wish you could have seen the smile on his face when he passed along that great advice. Without a doubt, a man of class and character…in any business.
By jim
September 23, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Here in N.Carolina, before UGA was on TV alot, I would sit out in my truck on a clear Saturday Night during a Dawg game and listen to WSB which is the only way then to get UGA games. As a tarheel born, and diehard Bulldog UGA alum 1979 I felt that I was right in the stadium. Thanks so much Larry! You made UGA football for me.
By Reid in EAV
September 23, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
My sister-in-law did me proud with this one:
http://www.uga.edu/gm/303/FeatBack.html
By Joe Benton
September 23, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Larry Munson deserves a huge thanks from me for some great Georgia football photos that appeared in the AJC on Sunday mornings. In the late 70’s and early 80’s I was a photographer at the AJC and covered a lot of Georgia football, including the National Championship game in New Orleans. I always used a radio earplug to listen to Larry while I was shooting the game. He was my “eye in the sky” and many times told me exactly what play was coming. Anticipation is 90% of good sports photography and Larry’s expertise always gave me the edge over the other shooters. Thanks Larry. I can’t tell you how many times I couldn’t wait to develop my film to see the shots you helped me get.
By Palmetto State Dawg
September 23, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
I remember where I was during the infamous hobnail boot call. I was driving a Uhaul truck with a buddy of mine, and helping him move to Savannah from Atlanta. We were listening to the game on the radio on the way down. We stopped in Macon for gas, and when GA scored the winning TD we had Munson turned up real loud. We were going crazy in the gas station parking lot, and everyone was looking at us like we were in fact crazy. I’ll never forget that. Thanks for the memories Larry. We will miss you.
By uga93
September 23, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
to mark September 23, 2008 7:27
Clearly, spelling and grammar aren’t your specialty..
Munson is a legend.
By john
September 23, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
I have lived in Texas for the past 10 years,but yet I am still a diehard DAWG fan. I spent many a Saturday afternoon listening to Larry call the games. He was and still is one of a kind with his rhetoric and colorful play by play. But it has been kind a bummer year for us Braves fans with losing Skip. Both of these men will be sorely missed.
By Wendi McLendon-Pruett
September 23, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Tony, Thanks for sharing your memories and for writing such a fitting tribute to a fine man. While a UGA journalism student aspiring to work in athletic communications, I was fortunate enough to work in UGA’s Sports Information office as both an undergraduate and a graduate student in the late 1980s and early 90s. Certainly one of the biggest highlights for me was getting to meet and work with Larry Munson.
I had grown up listening to him call the games and could not have imagined a gameday without that famous voice passionately painting the picture. Larry was always one of the first people I saw in Sanford Stadium when I arrived to work each gameday. It was a given that in the hours before a game Larry would be in and around the stadium mulling over the competition and fretting over even their smallest talents. But the other side of Larry was also ever-present; a kind, classy, caring and funny man who always had a good joke to tell and loved hearing one.
I am grateful for having the opportunity to work with such a professional and a true legend. I will certainly miss hearing that famous voice on football Saturdays, but I am grateful for the memories and the soundtracks of his famous calls. Enjoy your retirement, Larry. You’ve earned it.
By Richard Johnston Jr
September 23, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
I am a Gator through and through. Munson is the class of SEC broadcasters. True tradition; down home charm; absolute homer [he had better be]; excellent and accurate calls. Listening to Munson is the essence of a football Saturday. The Dogs will miss him and so will all of us who treasure southern college football.
By Chris M.
September 23, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
I can remember sitting in my dad’s truck listening to the UGA-Tenn hobnail boot and looking at each other in amazement; and sitting in my truck on cool nights in Columbus, MS while in the Air Force just to get a radio signal from Atlanta on WSB to catch the Dawgs while my friends thought I was crazy. There’s nobody that comes close. Thanks for the memories.
By Ben
September 24, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
I remember driving up to the games through Jefferson when I was about five years old. My Dad and I would see the cows standing under the trees and he would tell me that’s where they listened to Larry call the game. I don’t see how anyone, person or animal, would want anyone else to ever call a football game. Thank you Larry for all the memories!
By Bama
September 24, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
remember listening to the 1985 Bama-Ga game in Athens, nobody could describe Bama’s dramatic last minute TD drive better than Larry. He knew how to hit the high notes when a team scored a big win. Never forget Shula hitting al Bell for a TD to beat the Dawgs in Athens with seconds on the clock!!! Bring your black crap for a good mourning Sat evening.
By roy in Statesboro
September 24, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Nothring better than listening to Munson and his coined phrases…
Now get the picture. He maybe a yard shy. Thinking about Montreal and the Olympics, Appleby just ran out of his shoes…I just came through a chair, a steel chair. Just think about all those Dawg fans who have those places in St. Simons and Jekyll and along the Georgia coast…man will some property be destroyed tonight.
My God Almight, he’s just a freshman. He just ran right over Bill Bates…
And sugar just falling from the sky…
Man, will Larry Munson be missed.
By josh
September 24, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
my fondest memory was my father and sittingin the car at gresham park prior to my pop warner game listing to kevin 60 yrd kick. my father passed 5 years ago and i still can see that day as if it was yesterday. thank you larry we love u
By Miles
September 24, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Munson could put Vin Scully in his back pocket!
By TexDawg
September 24, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all of the memories, Larry. You magically placed my mind’s eye on the sidelines in Athens, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Auburn, Knoxville and dozens of other stadiums while my body was fishing, hunting, cutting the grass, driving and doing all kinds of other things. You’ve been there my entire life, and I feel lucky that I was able to introduce you to my sons here in Texas through the wonders of satellite radio. You will be missed greatly.
Go Dawgs!
By bluegrass dog
September 24, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
First of all, Tony, many posts have acted as if a “homer” is a bad thing?! What a great article! Your words allowed me to recall great memories of Georgia football and something ultimately more personal and more important.
I remember Saturdays in South Georgia and my dad “firing up the transistor” to listen to the games. As a kid, that simple pleasure made raking leaves or picking up pecans almost bearable.
Several of my memories of my dad seem to revolve around Georgia football and Larry Munson. With the expansion of television coverage, Dad was always wary of these “negative announcers, putting down Georgia.” So at our house, we would turn down the TV and “turn up Munson.” My mom could never understand why we needed both the TV and the radio on.
I remember my dad jumping from his chair as Lindsay Scott ran down the Gator Bowl sideline. He didn’t hit a light, but he came close to our ceiling fan. He began chanting with Larry, “Run Lindsday, run.” We laughed in agreement with Larry’s prediction about the future of property along Georgia’s coast. Up hearing that statement (and with every subsequent replaying) my Mom always says, “I wish he hadn’t said that.”
I lost my Dad in 2006. He would have been so proud of his Dogs going into this season ranked #1. Listening to Larry on GXtra kind of served as a living link to those memories of my Dad.
Mr. Munson, thanks for a lifetime of memories. Thanks for your passion. Thanks for constantly asking our Dogs to “Hunker Down” one more time.
Tony, thanks again for a great article! I am so glad the AJC agreed to allow you to continue your blog. I look forward to reading, watching, or listening to you in whatever comes next.
By Bamafan
September 24, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
As an Alabama fan first I am also a big SEC fan as well. I live in Atlanta and have always pulled for the Dawgs when not playing against them. But I have always enjoyed Larry’s grumbly voice and his version of the game over the airways. Larry ranks right up there with Keith Jackson as one of the best announcers to listen to calling a college football game. His voice gives the game an entirely new demension that guys like Al Trautwig couldn’t do.
By Chris
September 24, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
I moved to Northwest Arkansas in in 1993. But, my heart always belonged to my beloved UGA and Stone Mountain, GA. On a Saturday night in 2002 my wife and I were attending a church service. I knew the Dawgs were playing Auburn and a win returned them to their rightful place atop the SEC. I told my wife I was going to the bathroom and walked out of the church. I went to my Van, pulled it around to the far corner and dialed in a staticy Munson. When Green hit Michael Johnson in the corner to win the game. Munson’s call of Touchdown, My God a touchdown, sent me out of my van screaming and waving my arms in the church parking lot. If someone was driving by they were probably thinking that guy was just filled with the Holy Spirit. On that occassion it wasn’t the Holy Spirit. Nope, Munson had just brought me back to my beloved roots of Georgia Football. Thanks Larry for “painting the picture”.
By Jason
September 24, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Freshman year, 1991, driving home to St. Simons on Saturday b/c I figured if I was going to miss a game and get some clean underpants from home, it was Vandy. Munson, on a routine punt call: “It’s a long, high…SHORT KICK!” Almost wrecked on Hwy 15.
All the classic wins stand out, but he made me even laugh off horrible losses with his pessimism. Goff’s undoing, losing to Vandy @ Homecoming 43-30. Munson: “And there’s ghosts and ghouls and goblins rising up from all over the field, 43-30, Vandy.” Laughed so hard, forgot how disappointed I truly was for the Dawgs.
By Jim D.
September 24, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Growing up in Nashville, TN, I remember Mr. Munson doing the Vanderbilt play by play, and besides John Ward, he is the only other Color Man I really enjoyed. He will be missed. JD in Fla
By Banjodawg in China
September 25, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
My favorit e memories are with my Dad who passed away in 1992. He and I spent many happy Saturday listening to WRFC on the old am radio, waiting for another of Larry’s calls. I recall listening to Gerogia / Tennessee with him one Saturday in 1980 when some young freshman back made his first appearance. After Larry said, “my God, he ran over two men…my God a freshman”, my dad said, “God bless Mrs Walker” and then he said. “Only Larry could describe it that well”.
Good Memories help sustain us. Thanks for chance to share Tony. Banjodawg in PR China (Gary)