Veteran NFL broadcaster Al Michaels was visibly emotional as he delivered a heartfelt tribute to fellow NBC broadcaster Dan Hicks, who has died suddenly at the age of 64.
Hicks died Wednesday after suffering an acute illness, his family announced. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
The Tucson, Arizona, native was widely known for calling Olympic events, PGA Tour golf and Notre Dame football. He also worked on NBC’s NFL coverage from 1992 through 1998.
During Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football broadcast of the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, Michaels used a commercial break to remember Hicks.
‘All of us in the sports broadcasting business were shocked to learn this morning of the passing of Dan Hicks,’ said the 82-year-old Michaels.
‘He provided captions to so many iconic moments in golf, tennis and Notre Dame football, and he and Rowdy Gaines turned the calling of swimming at multiple Olympics into an art form.’
Al Michaels became emotional while remembering Dan Hicks after the broadcaster’s sudden death
Dan Hicks, pictured with his wife Hannah Storm, died Wednesday after an acute illness
‘He was genial, compassionate and great company. He had a world-class sense of humor. On this difficult day for so many of us, we send our love to Hannah and your three daughters. Wishing you strength and comfort.’
Michaels’ voice began to crack near the end of the tribute as the weight of the moment became clear.
Hicks’ wife, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, released a statement on behalf of herself and their three daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley.
‘Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,’ Storm said in a statement Thursday. ‘He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, a loving father to our three daughters and a cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.’
‘Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought energy and laughter and brought people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel that they mattered.’
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‘Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. There are simply no words to express how much he will be missed.’
Mike Tirico, who calls NBC’s Sunday Night Football games but missed last week’s broadcast because of illness, also paid tribute to Hicks on Thursday, describing him as a ‘broadcaster’s broadcaster.’
Speaking on Golf Channel, Tirico said: ‘He had more big moments on his plate and nailed every one of them. You can’t think of a big moment that Dan didn’t have the right call, the right energy and the right words.
‘Think about every Michael Phelps gold medal won in Olympic swimming, and Dan was there doing that. Think about all the big moments on the hill with the great U.S. ski athletes at the Olympic Games, and Dan was the voice.’
Among Hicks’ most memorable calls were the U.S. swimming team’s comeback at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Tiger Woods’ dramatic putt to force a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open.
NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon also issued a statement honoring Hicks and reflecting on his impact.
Mike Tirico also delivered an emotional tribute to his NBC colleague Dan Hicks
Tiger Woods, right, is interviewed by NBC’s Dan Hicks, left, after winning the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on September 23, 2018
‘Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person,’ the statement began. ‘During his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.
‘From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame football, countless other high-profile events and, especially, his role as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan’s combination of knowledge, style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades.’
‘But beyond his excellence on air, Dan was an even better person. He welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke or a word of encouragement—sometimes all three in the same sentence.’
‘Our heartfelt condolences and love go to his wife, Hannah, and his daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley.’
