Goodbye, Billy Packer

I know I'm late to this story. But, then, I've been MIA from the blog for a while so it's of little consequence. And I do so desperately wish to include my two cents regarding Billy Packer's departure from CBS and the Final Four.

In a word: Yippee!!!

I signed onto the fire Billy Packer bandwagon many moons ago. And I've advocated his firing on this blog and elsewhere to anyone who would listen. For the most part, my criticism is that he's a condescending scold. Yes, he's stuck in the 1960s. And, yes, he's a Wake Forest partisan who can't seem to get over his UNC and Duke hatred. But that's not what gets my goat.

What gets me worked up is his insufferable attitude. He's been quoted as saying about himself that he is "often wrong but never in doubt" without the slightest hint of sarcasm or irony. And any man who can say that is likely a self-righteous prick.

I remember hating Dick Vitale in the late 1980s. Then I saw him give a speech to the McDonald's All-Americans in which he was a truly passionate advocate for those young men. He was not self-aggrandizing. He was humble and genuine. And in that one speech I learned that Dick Vitale is, while still annoying, a decent person who wishes well to those he covers.

Billy Packer has never given such a speech. I cannot remember watching a Billy Packer-announced game in which at some point I did not want to mute him* because of his petulance. Packer never seemed to be joyful. Sure, he was a knowledgeable basketball guy. But his every utterance screamed: "Listen to how much I know about basketball." He's simply the most annoying broadcaster to whom I've ever listened and, because I love college basketball, could not escape.**

I'm not sure that Clark Kellogg is the answer for CBS, btw. I can only listen to a man say "Squeeze the Orange" so many times. But anything will be better than listening to Billy Packer cover another Final Four.

Now, if only Raycom would do the right thing and get him off of ACC games, I'd be completely pleased.

*I can't hear the TV when I'm yelling at Packer anyway, so there's no need to mute him.

**Bill Walton is perhaps more annoying. But he doesn't do high-profile events that I must watch. His Grateful Dead schtick is garbage, but I know where the mute button is when he makes a halftime appearance!!