Tennessee Vols radio broadcaster John Ward passes away
John Ward, legendary Voice of the Tennessee Vols for over 30 years, died on Wednesday at age 87. He called Volunteers basketball and football games.
He was the iconic ‘Voice of the Vols’ across the state, covering Tennessee Vols basketball for 34 seasons and Tennessee Vols football for 31 seasons. With the program approaching its 20th sports year since his retirement, John Ward died at age 87.
The Vol Network announced Ward’s passing on Wednesday evening. Chris Lowe of ESPN reported that he was battling a lengthy illness.
A star in his own right on Rocky Top, Ward was memorable for his objective play-calling and numerous exciting sayings. Everybody from Memphis to Johnson City could hear his words.
“It’s football time in Tennessee!”
“He’s at the 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5…Give Him Six! Touchdown, Big Orange!”
“Bottom!”
Ward called basketball games from Ray Mears through Jerry Green. He called football games from Doug Dickey through Phillip Fulmer. And it was only fitting that the final Tennessee Vols football game he called was in 1998.
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1…the national champion, is clad in Big Orange!”
In fact, that was only his second most famous line of that year. Everybody mostly remembers his call when Tennessee beat Florida that year.
“No, sir, ree! No, sir, ree! Final score: Tennessee 20, Florida 17. Pandemonium, reigns!”
Ward’s excitement was so legendary that Kenny Chesney had to do a song about it after he retired. He called it “Touchdown Tennessee.”
For 30 years, Ward’s partner on the radio covering Tennessee football was Bill Anderson. Anderson played for the Tennessee Vols in the 1950s and died in 2017. The commentators now are Bob Kesling with Tim Priest in football and Bert Bertelkamp in basketball.
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When Tennessee basketball played the Kentucky Wildcats in 2006, Ward and Ray Mears were honored together. He was honored again at Neyland Stadium last season when the Tennessee Vols played the Vanderbilt Commodores. Everybody affiliated with Rocky Top knew his impact on broadcasting. His play-calling is interwoven with southern football culture, and as a result, he will be severely missed.