John Ward, the legendary Tennessee announcer who died this week at 88, made at least two perfect decisions in his life. He decided after attending the University of Tennessee and doing a stint in the Army not to practice law. Instead, Ward entered advertising. He got pretty good at it, and pulled off the double-bonus of avoiding a life of depositions and judgments while also choosing a career that allowed him significant free time to watch sports.
The other thing Ward definitely did right: He kept college football as a hobby. Announcing Tennessee football games was not John Ward’s full-time job.