Memories of NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall shared

Here are some reactions from some who knew Pat Summerall and others who followed his career as one of the NFL’s most-famed broadcasters. Summerall died Tuesday at age 82.

“There is no one more closely associated with the great legacy and tradition of CBS Sports than Pat Summerall. His voice was synonymous with big events whether it was NFL football and the Super Bowl, the Masters or U.S. Open Tennis.” -- Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports

“Pat Summerall was a hero to me. I treasured the gift of friendship that I had with him. I was his understudy for 10 years. He could not have been more generous or kind to a young broadcaster. He was a giant and one of the iconic figures in the history of the CBS Television Network.” -- CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz

“Pat was a friend of nearly 40 years. He was a master of restraint in his commentary, an example for all of us. He was also one of the great storytellers who ever spoke into a microphone.” - CBS Sports’ Verne Lundquist

“He was something very special. Pat Summerall is the voice of football and always will be.” -- former booth partner John Madden

”Pat Summerall was one of the best friends and greatest contributors that the NFL has known. He spent 50 years as part of our league, first as a player on the legendary New York Giants teams of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s and then as a Hall of Fame broadcaster for CBS and FOX. His majestic voice was treasured by millions of NFL fans for more than four decades. Pat always represented the essence of class and friendship. It is a sad day in the NFL. Our hearts go out to Pat’s wife Cheri and the entire Summerall family. Pat will always be an important part of NFL history. -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

“Montana. Rice. Touchdown. Rest in Peace Pat Summerall. You let sports breathe. You let Madden talk. And in an age where we so often use too many words to say too little, you let our imaginations fill in the gap.” -- Joe Posnanski, NBC Sports columnist