| Merrill Reese and I have been friends for over 20 years. Initially, what I found most surprising about Merrill was his size. He has this big, booming voice. I mean a big voice. But when I met him face to face, he was on the small size; only 5-9, and at the most, 140 pounds. His voice just doesn't fit his size. But you know what they say, size doesn't matter. |
| I didn't know it at the time, but the example I watched Merrill set as the consummate broadcaster when I played actually guided me when I later entered the broadcast arena. Merrill is always prepared. And Merrill always enjoys his work, that makes a difference. A difference you can see, and hear during the broadcast. I remember traveling with Merrill when I played, and he was always studying on the plane. He prepared for his broadcast like a player prepared to play the game. It was serious business. In the hotel, the night before the game, I would always see Merrill with his crew, and they were preparing and planning. Again, Sunday morning, at breakfast, he was preparing. |
| I met Merrill in 1977 when I first came to the Eagles from Los Angeles. He was the color commentator, and Charlie Swift was the play-by-play man. We did a lot of interviews then for his pregame, and postgame shows. When he became the play-by-play man the following year, we not only did interviews but co-hosted a Celebrity Sports Talk show every Friday night at The Eagles Nest, my golf club in Sewell, New Jersey. We would have guests from all over the sports world, not just Eagles players, but golfers, tennis players, and once a professional polo player from Brazil who spoke very little English. But Merrill's professionalism made it fun. I always knew Merrill would do what it took to insure an interesting and accurate show. Working with Merrill helped me learn to listen as an interviewer. He let the guest do the talking, and he responded appropriately, When a guest was not communicative, he had the skill to keep the show interesting. |
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