Gary Danielson reveals 2024 broadcast that was ‘one of the highlights of my career’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Gary Danielson has been on the mic for countless games and memories across his time serving as a lead broadcaster for CBS’s coverage of the SEC and now the Big Ten. One game in particular from the 2024 season stands out as a career highlight for Danielson.
Last season, CBS aired the showdown between Michigan and Illinois that had historical significance for college football. The game came just shy of the 100-year anniversary of the legendary Red Grange game that featured the Illini stunning a heavily favored Michigan team.
CBS got things rolling that Saturday with an old-time homage to the 1924 meeting between longtime Big Ten foes, complete with black-and-white video and Danielson and Brad Nessler donning old-school outfits. The introduction received widespread approval, but Danielson recently admitted it was something the production team had some concerns about.
“We… mapped out a plan that we thought on a really important day for Illinois football, we wanted to pay justice to the game,” said Danielson. “… Our crew worked so hard at it, and it was risky, because if it didn’t go well, we would’ve been panned. Even our management team, our suits in New York discussed with us ‘Are you sure?'”
Ultimately, the introduction worked, and the game didn’t disappoint, either. Illinois stifled Michigan all afternoon long and won 21-7.
“I think it was a once in a lifetime game, it really was,” admitted Danielson. “And we’re really proud of the fact that the Illini fan took pride in it… it’s one of the highlights of my career.”
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With Danielson set to soon retire, we’ll see if any game in the 2025 season can provide a similar joy for Danielson.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
