Legendary college basketball analyst Billy Packer — who assisted broadcast crucial NCAA Tournament video games for years — has actually passed away.
His household revealed the unfortunate news on social networks … exposing the long time broadcaster died on Thursday night.
Packer’s child, Mark, informed the Associated Press his daddy had actually been handling several medical concerns in the medical facility the previous couple of weeks … and eventually passed away due to kidney failure.
“Our amazing father, Billy, has passed,” Mark stated in a tweet while sharing an image of Billy and his household. “We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with [his wife] Barb. RIP, Billy.”
The Packer Family wish to share some unfortunate news. Our remarkable daddy, Billy, has actually passed. We take peace understanding that he’s in paradise with Barb. RIP, Billy. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/uFRixmgCcd
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) January 27, 2023
@MarkPacker
Packer at first started transmitting significant college basketball video games in the 1970s — signing up with NBC in 1974 and calling his very first Final Four in 1975, when UCLA beat Kentucky.
The previous college basketball gamer — who ultimately moved over to CBS — went on to supply commentary for every single Final Four till 2008, when he stepped far from the video game.
“Billy Packer was synonymous with college basketball for more than three decades,” CBS Sports officer Sean McManus stated after Packer’s death.
“He had a tremendous impact on the growth and popularity of the sport … He will be deeply missed by all.”
Packer called a few of the sport’s biggest all-time video games — and his “Simon Says Championship” line after Miles Simon and Arizona won the 1997 champion stays among the most renowned employ the history of the video game.
“Simon states champion.”
A line permanently a part of Arizona basketball tradition.
RIP Billy Packer 🕊 pic.twitter.com/0wjkPLTBlD
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) January 27, 2023
@JustinESports
He was 82 years of ages.
RIP.