Lon Simmons: More Than A Broadcaster
"Back to pass, he's under pressure, here comes Cedrick Hardman, look-out, he's sacked!"
It wasn't the voice of legendary Lon Simmons. It was me, impersonating Lon as I pass-rushed my childhood friend and brought him down on the turf at Walnut Acres Elementary in Walnut Creek.
I grew up idolizing Lon Simmons and called the play-by-play every chance I got. Be it a football game, a whiffle ball game, even my All-Star baseball board game. The venue never mattered much to me, as long as I had the chance to be Lon Simmons.
At the age of 14, my dad, unknown to me, arranged for the Giants announcer to call our home. I was watching Monday Night Football when the phone rang.
There was no mistaking that voice. When he said, "I'm looking for Dennis O'Donnell," I already knew who it was. Then when he said, "This is Lon Simmons," I put the receiver down, screamed to anyone in the neighborhood who could possibly hear that Lon Simmons was on the phone.
The career advice was merely icing on the cake. The call itself had won me over. Lon Simmons had plenty of fans, but none more loyal than me.
About 30 years later, I told that story on the air. The following week I was in the Giants press box when Simmons tapped me on the shoulder and said, "So, I called you at home and offered you advice, huh? You didn't follow it did you?" He seemed genuinely touched, as much as he could be given his witty nature.
When Lon Simmons died I took time to reflect on what impact he had on my life. Not just the phone call, but as a broadcaster, and as a person and role model for so many others. I have used his lessons to mentor others and help them get started in television sportscasting. Although I doubt youngsters scream my name when the phone rings.
I suppose he wouldn't mind if I use his home run call during highlights in my sportscast every now and then.
Lon Simmons RIP. Or, to use a famous phrase, "tell him goodbye."
