Where do we start with George Michael retiring? It’s like talking about the end of a king’s reign.
The WRC NBC-4 sportscaster has owned the Washington market since Glenn Brenner’s 1992 death. George created “Sports Machine,” a trendsetting highlight show before ESPN’s SportsCenter’s dominance. Plenty of young sportscasters gained their start from him.
But of all the stories you’ll hear about George as he retires following Thursday’s show, here’s why we’re pals despite the fact he incorrectly claimed many of my past Redskins scoops weren’t right.
You will never have a better friend than someone like George Michael.
When I suffered a near-fatal heart attack at Redskins Park in 2002, I soon heard from 120 people in a week. (My sincere advice — turn off your phone until you’re feeling stronger.) But of all of those conversations, one clearly made a difference. Someone told me everything would get better; that I would rise once more.
George made the difference for me. I returned the favor in 2005 when a horse riding accident nearly killed George. I said the King doesn’t go gentle into the good night. I can’t believe he really is now.
Massive budget cuts left George unable to face long-time co-workers. He couldn’t stay while they were fired.
George will appear on Mondays at Redskins Park in the fall and run two weekly shows, but he’s ready for a third act in life. The first was a very successful radio career from 1962-80. The man gave Elvis Presley advice! The second was becoming TV’s most famous sportscaster who showed clips of bull riding and NASCAR when no one else did.
Hopefully, act three will be even sweeter. George loves baseball research and will work on different SABR projects. The horse farm keeps him busy. Most importantly, there’s this chance to just see what comes along.
“As far as every day, I have no clue. I’m not worried about it,” he said. “I am so grateful for what we’ve got that I don’t even look back and wonder what’s going to happen next.”
George sidestepped predictions over who will replace him as the market leader. It won’t be easy for anyone to match his market share, though.
“I don’t think any company in 2007 will make the commitment to build the sports department that I was allowed to build,” he said.
For nearly four decades, Washington has been led by a sports kingpin, from Warner Wolf to Brenner to George. Now we’re left with a lot of the same thing on every channel. It makes me want to resume the “Boo of the week.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
