This was Tuesday night after the Bruins (yet again) failed to close out a team on home-ice.
That’s the Bruins home telecast announcer Jack Edwards.
And he’s arguably one of the greatest to ever do it.
Non New Englanders might know Jack fromwayyyyyyyback in the day.
When SportsCenter was enjoying its “Golden Era”.
When early morning Sportscenter reruns on loop were must-watch TV.
Jack was one of the murderers' row of Sportscenter anchors.
Edwards left ESPN and joined NESN to call Bruins games almost 20 years ago.
Which is insane to believe.
19 years now he’s been the voice of the Boston Bruins.
One thing I really love about life, is watching and witnessing peopletrulyenjoy what they do.
It’s hard to hate on that person.
Because I think it’s every one of our’s dream deep down.
Unless you’re a hating dickhead like the Grinch.
Which makes his story so sad.
Edwards isn’t being pushed out.
He’s not retiring because he’s too old.
(He’s 67).
He’s not retiring because he’s sick.
As the game has sped up more and more, Edwards has began slurring and stuttering his words.
To call him a homer would be disrespectful to Tommy Heinsohn.
But nobody got more excited than Edwards genuinely did on a monster Bruins goal.
People disliked Edwards because of his eloquence.
How can you listen to that and not crack up laughing?
The guy is nuts.
That guy is always good in my book.
Then last night, the Celtics lost an icon of their own.
Gorman began his career way back in 1982.
(Sidebar - Tommy Heinsohn walked so Hawk Harrelson could run.)
He was calling the game with Gorman.)
Gorman always did an incredible job of making his color man the star.
Not that making a ham like Tommy Heinsohn shine was a tough thing to do.
The stuff fans go nuts for.
Knowing the story of how Gorman, post-military, began his career makes you like him even more.
SI- Mike Gormans career nearly ended in a parking lot.
If Santos wouldnt meet with him, his next stop was Weymouth (Mass.)
High School, where a friend said he could get him a part-time gig as a substitute teacher.
When Gorman arrived, he was stopped at the security gate.
He was asked by the guard if he had an appointment.
He was asked if he had a resume or a tape to leave for Santos.
Puzzled, the guard suggested Gorman get some experience and come back.
Stitched onto the front was VP-44, the naval squadron Gorman flew with.
The guard, it turned out, used to fly with VP-8.
After a few minutes chatting about planes, the guard called Santos.
After hearing Gormans story, Santos agreed to meet with him.
The two talked for 90 minutes.
That was it, says Gorman.
Thats how it all started.
The Celtics and TD Garden faithful did Gorman solid sticking around post-game to wish him goodbye and say thanks.
Very, very few cities can point to a legendary broadcaster in a single sport.
Boston has had multiple, in every sport.
But it’s better to have lived and loved than to never love at all.
They’re not only fucking terrible, but they annoy you A LOT.
And Jack Edwards is forced to do this all over again.
Slam the fucking door on the Leafs and let this man enjoy his moment in peace.
You heard the man at the end of his signoff,
Send them home crying from Maple Leafs Square!
Damn it’s dusty in here.
