State and national dignitaries, all-time greats from both the University of Tennessee and the Volunteer State, everyone, seemingly, has a John Ward story to share after the passing of the legendary ‘Voice of the Vols.’ Ward died Wednesday.
Ward connected, first Tennessee, then an entire region, and ultimately Volunteers around the globe, with his iconic calls, sublime delivery, and unfailing flair for the moment — without being flashy or taking away from the sport.
Yet Tennesseans today mourn his loss because they knew him, be it through their radios or the thousands of interpersonal interactions. Everyone knew John Ward, because John Ward had the capacity to bring any listener — his most ardent, or the casual fan — into the broadcast booth alongside him.