I can visualize it now. The constant barrage of complaining and moaning from a conglomerate of Alabama fans who find it difficult to separate themselves from reality and two college football broadcasters is starting to commence.
For the past several years now, there has been a growing disdain for CBS’ Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson that does not appear to be going away anytime soon. This does not apply to every Alabama fan — because truth be told — there are some who actually understand that a job has to be done, and personal feelings are not involved. If you’re one of the fans who fall into this category, let me try and explain why the other Alabama fans simply hate this pair.
For years, Lundquist has been an icon as it pertains to broadcast media and has called some of the most prolific events that are by far too many to name. His voice is as recognizable as they come and the sheer passion he brings to any telecast cannot be debated no matter if you’ve tuned into a PGA Tour event, NCAA Men’s Tournament, or a high-profile college football matchup on Saturday afternoon. He brings it.
However, if you mention his name around the wrong Alabama fan, you may get cursed out because he mispronounced the backup left guard’s name, or even given a different name to someone altogether. While it is important for any broadcaster to ensure he or she has these in order, slip ups and mispronunciations do occur and one should not be vilified as if he kicked a puppy in broad daylight — but I digress.
As for Danielson, he’s a bit more polarizing. While many fans have come to realize that Verne will have the occasional gaffe, most have written it off as an elder statesman simply forgetting a name here or there. I mean seriously, how many times have your parents called you by your sibling’s name? But while Verne has his issues with forgetfulness at times, it’s Danielson’s brutally honest approach and criticisms that make Alabama fans’ hair stand up on their neck.
Flashback to the 2008 SEC Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators. Ever since their loss to the Ole Miss Rebels, the Gators absolutely demolished opponents and the man leading the way was none other than Tim Tebow.
Now I’ll admit, it did appear that Danielson (and Verne) had a bit of a man crush on Tebow and probably said his name over a dozen times — in the first quarter. Be that as it may, so did every other analyst for the previous two seasons any time his face was shown on camera. Nevermind that Danielson is quite possibly the most knowledgeable college football analyst out as well as stellar when it comes to breaking down a play — the fact he dares to point out a flaw on a play — and maybe not in the nicest of ways — suddenly makes him a terrible analyst.
No fan ever — in life — wants their team criticized. The funny part in all of this is while Alabama fans believe Verne and Gary hate (yes, this is a true statement) their team, every other fanbase in the SEC feels the exact same way as Alabama fans as they did about Tebow and the Gators. You can replay any game from the past few years and listen to how many times both of these two simply gush over the Tide and the one moment Danielson makes a critique that is unfavorably, you would think he talked about someone’s unborn child.
So, brace yourselves for another night of gripes from both Alabama and Georgia fans. Read through the message board fodder and social media posts and within the first three minutes of the game (if not the first three hours prior), prepare for a long night of fans wishing someone else were the announcer and asking why CBS is the broadcaster — I mean, it seems to have worked — I guess.
Brandon Williams is an Editor and Columnist for Touchdown Alabama. You can follow him on Twitter, @BWilliamsTDAL, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
