ESPN colleagues appreciate Chris Berman on his 70th birthday

Chris Berman turned 70 on Saturday. It is particularly noteworthy for a Septuagen transmitter.

One of the longest employees of ESPN has overtaken most of his colleagues and ended in sports for almost five decades at the global leader in sports. He has been the face of the network since its foundation in 1979. This kind of longevity deserves respect. Berman is closest to a man at ESPN. Despite the changes in the industry that have led to buyouts, layoffs and retirement, the man with the nickname “Boomer” remains a natural force in Bristol, Connecticut.

Berman is connected to two of the largest brands in America: ESPN and NFL. His influence on sports programs still resonates. By bringing personality and energy, he redefined what it means to be a sports tanker. And although he did not invent the use of striking throws and nicknames on television, he perfected art. Berman’s pioneering exuberance prompted others to express himself enthusiastically.

This may seem picturesque or played by the prism of today, but it was anything but routine when Chris Berman started.

He created the archetype of A Sports center Anchor.

Happy 70th birthday to the legendary Chris Berman.

Boomer is an original 79 and the longest outdated on-air personality at ESPN … 46 years! pic.twitter.com/011CT9HP24

– Bill Hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) May 10, 2025

Stan Verrett, an anchor for the west coast version of Sports centerRemembered Joyly of Berman when he left a voiceemail behind him who praised him and Neil Everett for their work on the show. Retetted said they had saved the voicemail for as long as possible until ESPN changed the telephone system.

“Chris is the anchor who built the foundation,” wrote Verrett in a text message in terrible announcement. “From the early sports center to the NFL reporting from ESPN, it was an essential part of his growth in the global guide.

Former Sports center Anchor Max Bretos also experienced support from Berman. When he arrived at ESPN for the first time, Bretos Berman described as friendly and inviting. He occupied Sunday Sports centerWhat the NFL Primetime preceded and Bretos said that Berman sometimes “bend it like Bretos” in the air.

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“So he not only handed me over to me, he broadcast my segment,” Bretos wrote in a text to AA. “I mean, it was exactly the way the guy was. He could just have been indifferent. But instead he tells his NFL audience about me and my football segment. I just couldn’t say nice things about him enough.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtsnoojgr2w

The other part of Berman’s legacy is NFL -Primetimethat debuted in 1987. There was nothing comparable at its climax. Before the immediate age of information, they could not receive access to the highlights on-demand. There was internet. There were no smartphones. There was no channel of the red zone. NFL -Primetime It was necessary to watch TV on Sunday evening if they wanted to catch up with everything.

The show was held by Chris Berman and Tom Jackson, who provided all actions and analyzes. They weren’t just people who put on a teleprompter. You have delight humor and insights.

BERMAN’s impact throws like “It is a fum-blocks”, “rumbling, stubs, stumbling blocks” and “He could … go … everything … the … way” have become part of the pop culture. Generations grew this show. It is not an exaggeration to suspect the early days of the NFL primetime that they played a major role in the popularity of the league today. While other highlights are exceeded NFL -Primetimeabove all Football night in AmericaNone of these shows are close to the right peak NFL -Primetime. The show still exists on ESPN+, with Booger McFarland Jackson replacing, and there is a better summary of the games on Sunday than its competitors.

Happy 70th birthday too@SpnLegend and good friend Chris Berman. pic.twitter.com/t3o1pqumxz

– Ed Werder (@Werderednfl) May 10, 2025

Chris Berman was at ESPN for so long that it was inevitable that his style did not contact everyone. Young fans don’t necessarily condemn with his deed. And even some of his contemporaries cut his show as Shtick. New York Post Sports media columnist and Curmudgeon Phil Mushnick were a frequent critic. The comedy doesn’t age well, and if you use the same material you made in 1998, you will get blowback.

However, every sports caster owes what Berman has made popular – the TV talking head, which also has as much fun as you saw the games. This type did not exist before Berman. His personality kept him in the air longer than most others.

The former ESPN -NFL reporter Ed Werder became friend after playing Golf at Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. He saw how people react to Berman.

“I have never met someone on television who is more than boomer for fans,” Werder wrote in a text to AA. “People are fascinated when they are in the presence in his presence, and he always engages them with a story and a smile. Nobody is more synonymous for ESPN than Chris Berman.”

@danpatrickshow Chris Berman shares some of his favorite players from which he has been created over the years

We see less from Berman these days. His most remarkable appearances come during the NFL season when he organizes his “fastest two minutes” at half -time Monday evening football and anchor NFL -Primetime. Last year he said he wanted to reach the network for 50 years, and there is every reason to assume that he will reach this milestone.

He could … go … everything … the … away.