Old guy references in play by play (Renaldo Nehemiah?? Really?)

[Dan Darragh]

Kevin Harlan, calling the Bengals-Broncos game on Saturday, referred at least twice to guys hurdling other players "like they're Renaldo Nehemiah."

 

I'm old, so I get the reference, but I couldn't help but wonder how many people who are younger than, say, 60, knew who he was talking about.  Nehemiah was a track star who never competed in an Olympics (thanks to the US boycott in 1980) and who played a little football but took his last snap 40 years ago.

 

I've noticed this a lot lately, announcers who make references to guys who played in the '60s and '70s, which probably sounds a lot to most viewers like it did to me when announcers used to say "he sure looks like YA Tittle" or some such nonsense.

 

I'm just venting.

Edited December 29, 2024 by Dan Darragh

[GunnerBill]

I can't stand Harlan. I know a lot of folks love him but his announcing drives me mad.

[Chandler#81]

20 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I can't stand Harlan. I know a lot of folks love him but his announcing drives me mad.

I think he’s exceptionally good. He paints the full picture for radio coverage better than anyone. 

[Matt_In_NH]

22 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I can't stand Harlan. I know a lot of folks love him but his announcing drives me mad.

I am

one of them.  He is the best!   I think he would be a great radio homer guy to replace CB.  

[GunnerBill]

6 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

I think he’s exceptionally good. He paints the full picture for radio coverage better than anyone. 

 

In fairness I only have experience of him on tv and he talks way too much. But that can be an issue that radio guys find moving to tv and he may be really good on radio.

[TheBrownBear]

I like Harlan and I liked the reference.  I'm 45 and knew of Nehemiah.

[chongli]

54 minutes ago, Dan Darragh said:

 

I'm old, so I get the reference, but I couldn't help but wonder how many people who are younger than, say, 60, knew who he was talking about.  Nehemiah was a track star who never competed in an Olympics (thanks to the US boycott in 1980) and who played a little football but took his last snap 40 years ago.

 

 

I am younger than 60 and knew of him and remember the Olympic boycott (and the  USSR of course had to retaliate in 1984 when the summer Olympics were in Los Angeles). I think you underestimate younger people.

 

It is also good younger viewers learn history like this.

Edited December 29, 2024 by chongli

[Simon]

[This is an automated response]

 

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Thank you.

[Dan Darragh]

2 hours ago, chongli said:

I think you underestimate younger people.

So far, I haven't been proven wrong too often. 🤪

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

He paints the full picture for radio coverage better than anyone. 

I grew up on radio play-by-play of the Bills, Rochester Red Wings and Amerks.  Nothing like it.  But today I don't think I even own a radio.

[HOUSE]

The last time I saw Jim Brown he was running from the Germans

[Simon]

8 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

The last time I saw Jim Brown he was running from the Germans

 

Come on Jefferson!

 

[Dan Darragh]

11 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

The last time I saw Jim Brown he was running from the Germans

The last time I saw Jim Brown he was running from the cops.

[Spiderweb]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I can't stand Harlan. I know a lot of folks love him but his announcing drives me mad.

He does talk a bit too much and he gets way overexcited often even on average plays. He would be good if he dropped it down a niche or two.

[colin]

He's great, and the more old times cultural drops the better.  People remember and take a look into cultural history through exposure, if we just leave children to their own social eco systems they become ignorant, and similar for adults too.

 

Anyone alive who hears a ref they don't get and doesn't have the wherewithal to search it in three seconds on their phone should be left in the dark

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I'm 54 and was 10 when the boycott happened. I know the name as a track star but honestly didn't know he missed out because of boycott.

 

Harlan good for radio when driving home from a long day at work.  Not so much for TV

[BRH]

Kevin Harlan is goated just for this call.

 

41 minutes ago, colin said:

He's great, and the more old times cultural drops the better.  People remember and take a look into cultural history through exposure, if we just leave children to their own social eco systems they become ignorant, and similar for adults too.

 

Anyone alive who hears a ref they don't get and doesn't have the wherewithal to search it in three seconds on their phone should be left in the dark

 

I agree and it also helps us pass the lore down to our kids who are watching with us.  I knew who Bob Hayes was because my dad told me who he was.  My son knows Renaldo Nehemiah and Willie Gault because I told him who they were.  

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by BRH

[ProcessTruster]

5 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

I think he’s exceptionally good. He paints the full picture for radio coverage better than anyone. 

yeah Harlan is fantastic on radio

[chongli]

14 minutes ago, BRH said:

Kevin Harlan is goated just for this call.

 

 

I love it!

 

Here it is for those who don't want to click

 

 

[frostbitmic]

If he's going to reference hurdling someone, it should be known as a Josh Allen.

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, HOUSE said:

The last time I saw Jim Brown he was running from the Germans

That was when they bombed Pearl Harbor…