'Let 'em look it up' by Keith Jackson

By KEITH JACKSON - 08/28/05 - For the Journal-Constitution

After more than a half-century of broadcasting college football games around the country, I admit to sitting down once in a while to ponder what all those years add up to.

And how in the world did it start?

Growing up in Georgia farm country in the '30s and '40s, it was easy to lock onto college football because there was no professional football to bother us. That was all played in the big Northern cities, which made it possible to spread your interest to the Chattanooga Moccasins and the Furman Paladins. Beyond the Dawgs and Engineers, Plainsmen and Crimson Tide.

I always admired Scrappy Moore's two-tone shoes when he roamed the sideline in Chattanooga wearing his white shirt and tie and straw hat through September.

As long as the battery lasted on the old radio, you could hunker down by that old Philco and your mind would soar as you listened to some of the great word mechanics describe the derring-do of the warriors as they fought across the gridiron.

I still use Bill Munday's "Hallelujah Land" phrase some games. It may fit more today than ever when all that dancin' and prancin' is taking place in the end zone. A lot of those ole homilies stuck and to this day can define a special moment best.

Best broadcasting advice I ever got: Never be afraid to turn a phrase, and if they don't understand it, let 'em look it up.

For example: Never let your mouth overload your rump.

Keith Jackson, who was born and raised in Roopville, has been calling college football since 1967.