The 82-year-old Billy Packer, an Emmy-winning college basketball commentator who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, has passed away. Learn more about what happened to him and Billy Packer cause of death in detail.
As a vocal supporter of collegiate basketball, Packer covered 34 straight Final Fours. For 28 seasons, he served as the primary college basketball analyst for CBS. In 1993, he was recognized with a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst.
Moreover, he has written several books on college basketball and was a guard for Wake Forrest who was named to the all-conference team. He helped the Demon Deacons win two ACC championships and reach 1962 Final Four.
What happened to Billy Packer?
Billy Packer, a longtime college basketball commentator, passed away, his family said tonight on social media. His son Mark announced the death news of her beloved father Billy Packer and the statement reads the following,
The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed. We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy.
The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed. We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/uFRixmgCcd
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) January 27, 2023
Billy Packer cause of death
Packer’s career encompassed the development of college basketball from a localized, regional sport in the middle of the 20th century to a sport that captivated the nation thanks to the success of March Madness.
Moreover, from 1975, the year UCLA coach John Wooden won his final championship, to Kansas’ victory in 2008, he served as an analyst or color commentator for every Final Four.
The Associated Press was informed by Pacjer’s son, Mark, that his father spent the previous three weeks in the hospital in Charlotte due to a number of medical problems before passing away from kidney failure.
According to Mark Packer, “He really enjoyed doing the Final Fours.” “He hit the right beat. Timing is everything in life. He delighted in the opportunity to participate in something that, in all honesty, he was going to see anyhow. Then, with the help of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, college basketball just sort of took off, and I believe that was the turning point that caused March Madness fanaticism.”
Sincere Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.
Who was Billy Packer?
Packer, who was born in Wellsville, New York, went to high school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and played for Wake Forest from 1960 to 1962.
He earned NCAA All-Region honors in 1962 when Wake Forest advanced to the Final Four while playing for the Demon Deacons, who were All-ACC selections in 1960 and 1961.
Packer gradually made his way into broadcasting. He was employed by NBC in 1974, and when that network bought the NCAA Tournament rights from NBC for $48 million in 1981, he switched to CBS.
Billy worked with many of the finest play-by-play announcers of his period, including Curt Gowdy, Dick Enberg, Brent Musburger, and Jim Nantz, over his career and became a highly recognized representative of college basketball on television. Also, he won the Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio, and Sports Event Analyst Sports Emmy in 1993.
In 1996, he was criticized for calling Georgetown guard Allen Iverson “a tough monkey,” and in 2000, he had to issue an apology for making misogynistic remarks to two Duke students. He occasionally courted controversy.
In 1985, Packer published his autobiography Hoops: Confessions of a College Basketball Analyst, one of many books he wrote. Mark, his son, followed in his father’s footsteps and now broadcasts a program on the ACC Network.
Tributes poured in for Billy Packer
Chris Clark Sports
Emmy-award-winning college basketball broadcaster Billy Packer, who brought unparalleled basketball knowledge to 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, has died at the age of 82, according to a Thursday night tweet from his son Mark.
Packer’s career spanned the growth of the game of college basketball from a parochial, regional sport in the mid-20th century to a nationwide fascination, propelled by the popularity of March Madness. He acted as an analyst or color commentator on every Final Four from 1975, when UCLA coach John Wooden won his last title, to Kansas’s victory in 2008.
Sanford Gruenfeld
Very sad. Remember him well from the ACC Glory Days. Always brought outstanding knowledge and enthusiasm.
Rhodes Prince
His name was synonymous with college basketball.
Dick Vitale
I was just notified about the passing of television basketball analyst Billy Packer 82 years of age. Billy for years was very knowledgeable & a big lover of college basketball.
Years ago Billy was part of a trio that was as good as it gets. It was headed by Hall of Famer Dick Enberg who was the play-by-play star & the analysts were Al McGuire & Billy.
They were the best for many years. I have said numerous times that I had great RESPECT & admiration for their success. My prayers go out to Billy’s family at this very tough time. Praying that Billy May RIP!
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