Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Jim Simpson
1927 - 2016
Jim Simpson
1927 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1927
DIED
2016
Jim Simpson Obituary
Simpson worked for many years at NBC where he announced the World Series, Olympics and Wimbledon and did play by play for Super Bowl I for NBC Radio.
He was doing play by play on AFL games for NBC when he was hired by ESPN in 1979. Simpson gave ESPN credibility when it was just starting out as a cable network.
He called many sports at ESPN including college football, college basketball, the NBA and the USFL.
In a statement, ESPN founder and first president Bill Rasmussen said, "On Jim's first visit to Bristol I met him at the airport and immediately experienced his warm personality. He brought tremendous credibility to ESPN in our early days, doing whatever was needed to help build the network. Jim was a television legend."
ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who partnered with Simpson on college basketball games, said in a statement, "Jim Simpson was a legend at NBC at brought a standard of excellence to ESPN that set the tone for so many to follow. I was honored he was assigned to work with me as I was just starting out. He had a tremendous influence on me and assisted me early in my career. He was special. Jim Simpson was as good as it gets."
He received the Lifetime Time Achievement Award at the annual Sports Emmy Awards, in 1997 and was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame on May 1, 2000.
28 Entries
Robert Goldman
November 6, 2019
Long time fan of Jim. That autumn Day in 1973 at windy Shea Stadium when the Mets upset the Big Red Machine in 5 games. Jim's call of the final out is one of my favorite calls of all time . Hearing Jim resonate the following," Popped up - pause-- and the miracle has happened again, here they come." Always the professional and "Top Banana", Jim will be truly missed.
Harry Simpson
January 18, 2017
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
M A
January 28, 2016
I send my deepest regards to the family. May God give you comfort at this time.
How you can show support
Wright
January 19, 2016
To the Simpson family : Remember earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.Our heartfelt condolences.
Kenneth Scheibel
January 19, 2016
My late father was Mr Simpson's colleague at the National Press Club and also shared the estimation of others here that Simpson's only peer as a national sportscaster during their era was Curt Gowdy. And if I recall correctly, his lovely daughter Sherry also attended high school with me in Bethesda. My regrets at Mr Simpson's passing, and condolences to his family.
January 18, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Doug Stark
January 17, 2016
I delivered the Washington Post to the Simpson family when they lived in Bethesda, MD in the mid-70s. Jim was such a class gentleman and always thanked me graciously for the good service I provided. I would look forward to seeing him when I collected the $2.25 monthly bill. My deepest sympathies to the family.
Howarf Silvia
January 17, 2016
to me he put excitement in sports
January 17, 2016
Jim was a gentleman. I had an opportunity to talk with him a couple of times. For those who might not know, during the prime of Jim's career, national television was limited to the dominating over the air networks, NBC, ABC and CBS.
He was #2 at NBC behind Curt Gowdy for a significant number of years. If Gowdy did the Rose Bowl, Jim did the Orange Bowl. If Gowdy did the National League championship, Jim would do the American League. He was quite visible, well respected and well known. He had a mellifluous and seductive voice. He never had to raise his voice to generate excitement. He built sports' drama by captioning pictures in measured intervals and through proper pausing.
May Jim Simpson rest in peace and may announcers today respect his memory by bringing down their voice a notch or two.
David J. Halberstam
Sports Broadcast Historian
Scott Chamberland
January 17, 2016
Rest in Peace
Robert Koslow
January 16, 2016
A wonderful man, his passing is a true loss for all. My condolences to his family.
James Faranda
January 15, 2016
Jim Simpson brought a lot of pleasure into the homes of so many sports fans. His broadcasting accomplishments are numerous, and he was in the top echelon of sportscasters. People growing up with the likes of Simpson and Curt Gowdy feel a real sense of loss at Jim's passing.
RIP.
January 15, 2016
My condolences to the family, Jim was a man well spoken of, an admirable quality recognized by our Heavenly Father. Allow your special memories of him to console you and, know that the God of tender mercies remembers him also.
-SJ
M R
January 14, 2016
For Jim s Family. How deeply sorry I am for the passing of him. I didn't know him very well but when it comes too Football i know his Voice well. All my prayers gose out too his Family & Friends.
January 14, 2016
Sorry for your loss. our condolences to the family. God is our refuge and strength.
January 14, 2016
To the family of Jim Simpson sorry to hear about your lost
Dave Elliott
January 14, 2016
It was a privilege beyond measure to know this wonderful man. Always dignified, engaging and upbeat, one of the finest people I've ever met. He'll be missed.
Richard Brown
January 14, 2016
The Simpsons were my next door neighbor growing up. Jim, his son Brett and I would sometimes played catch in the backyard. Jim knew a lot about sports, not a surprise. In 1964, Jim took Brett and me to Redskins training camp where we met the players and coaches, were on the field for practice and had lunch with the team. He was there to do audition tapes with two new players who we were lucky to spend some time with. Their names are Sam Huff and Sonny Jurgenson. That is an experience I still treasure. Jim was a gifted sports announcer, but more importantly he was a great guy and had a wonderful family. He will be missed by all who knew him or listened to his broadcasts.
Robert Kline
January 14, 2016
Jim, was a great man, father in law. His memory and voice will live on forever.
BK
January 14, 2016
Beloveds, so saddened to hear of Jim Simpson,s passing. What a long wonderful life he lived. Many cannot say the same. His fine legacy will surely be remembered . . . Eccl.7:1
DARIN WILKERSON
January 14, 2016
JIM SIMPSON I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID ME AND MY PARENTS WATCHED YOU ON CHANNEL-4 WRC-TV YOU WAS CLOSE TO JIM VANCE WILLARD SCOTT ALL OF THEM. I REMEMBER YOU WAS A SPORTCASTER ON CHANNEL-4 I REMEMBER BACK IN THE 70'S YOU CAME BACK TO CHANNEL-4 YOU KNOW NEXT THURSDAY I WILL BE TURNING THE BIG 50 ON JANUARY 21,2016. AND JEHOVAH WILL REMEMBER YOU IN THE RESURRECTION IN THE NEW WORLD I WILL GET TO MEET YOU,GEORGE MICHAEL,GLENN BRENNER,ALL OF THEM IN THE NEW WORLD.
Patti and Jeff Menard
January 14, 2016
So sorry to hear about Jim Simpson. Our deepest sympathy to the family.
January 14, 2016
Nobody called 'em like Jim Simpson!
Dan Dinoto
January 13, 2016
The AFC of the NFL owes a debt of gratitude to Mr.Simpson for his contribution via NBC TV to creating a very exciting product in its formative stage as the American Football League. He was one of a handful of distinctive and memorable sportscasters whose play by play excited millions of fans who enjoyed the AFL tremendously as it performed in the shadow of the "Big Daddy" NFL throughout the 1960's. There is an area in my memory bank that still lights up brightly when it recalls the likes of Jim Simpson calling one of those classic AFL games. For my generation he and his colleagues of that era conjure the same emotions that I have heard described by members of my fathers generation when they speak of the calls of the great radio baseball announcers prior to television. Thank you sir! You were most certainly a superlative credit to your profession.
January 13, 2016
You have my deepest sympathy. May the God of loyal love comfort the family and friends during this time of sorrow Psalms 119: 76
Mike Lambert
January 13, 2016
I loved Jim Simpson as a sports broadcaster , loved his voice, knowledge & excitement for sports. He is a legend & will never be forgotten. I love to you tube Jim`s highlights on games, very memorable. He`s right up there with Curt Gowdy & Dick Enberg for sure ! God Bless You Always Jim, r.i. p.
Harry Simpson
January 13, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
Make a Donation
in Jim Simpson's name
How to support Jim's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Jim Simpson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored