Bob McCarty Writes

Jim McKay, the legendary sportscaster who rose to fame most prominently as host of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, passed away today at 86.

Like many Americans growing up during the ’60s and ’70s, I spent many hours glued to the television set, watching sports — not only Wide World, but also the Olympic Games and PGA golf events — and listening to McKay weave stories of sport.

Perhaps more than any other event, McKay will always be remembered for his deft handling of the tragic events that took place at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Without missing a beat, he was able to trade his sportscaster cap for one typically worn by hard-nosed journalists of the day and report on the event which came to be known as “the Munich Massacre.” The first terrorist incident of my lifetime, I remember watching and listening as McKay narrated events which began with Palestinian gunmen taking hostage — and eventually murdering — 11 Israeli athletes hostage in the Olympic Village.

Of course, his life story encompasses much more than being a sportscaster and part-time newsman. To see his obituary in The New York Times, click here.