There’s been some beautiful eulogies and tributes toward the late Bill Walton, who passed Monday after a prolonged battle with cancer. But Boston sports radio host Fred Toucher took the road less traveled, opting for the Mike Francesa route of offering a eulogy and then some.
The 71-year-old Walton has yet to be laid to rest by his family and loved ones, and Toucher felt it’d be appropriate to rifle off a couple of shots at the beloved basketball player and announcer.
This all started when a caller suggested to Toucher around 7:35 a.m. ET on Toucher & Hardy that the host pay tribute to Walton with a clip of him hanging up on Walton some 14 years ago after the Celtics lost the 2010 NBA Finals.
“While I don’t know, it happened,” Toucher said. “He called in and was acting a fool about his son on the Lakers.”
He then mocked Walton while mimicking his voice.
“‘Oh no, first of all, you gotta buy a Jeep Wrangler.’ But while he was selling cars, like make up your mind, you phony hippie. Are you really selling cars, or are you all about peace and love?” Toucher said.
Whether he was joking or not — we won’t assume — it’s in bad taste, especially calling Walton a “phony hippie.” Every story that comes out from media members shows that not only does everyone have a story to tell about Walton, but he was universally loved and praised. Sure, you can see how your paths crossed with a moment made for radio, but when your knee-jerk reaction is to name-call someone who hasn’t been dead for 24 hours, perhaps you’re better off not commenting at all.
And when the show deliberated about playing the clip, Toucher uttered these lovely words: “Just go ahead; he’s dead. I didn’t kill him.”
Boston sports radio host Fred Toucher offers the worst Bill Walton eulogy after a caller asked him to pay tribute with the clip of Toucher hanging up on him.
“Just go ahead; he’s dead. I didn’t kill him.”
He also referred to Walton as a “phony hippie.” pic.twitter.com/4j30WXqPf7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 28, 2024
He just killed common decency instead.
The clip played of Toucher asking Walton about Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals and where it ranked in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to never rank coaches, concerts, children, championships or congratulations,” Walton says. “Just enjoy them all. And as a dad, that’s what I’m about. Because even though I’m a Celtic, even though the Celtics gave me my life back 25 years ago, more importantly I’m a dad. It’s not about me. I want what’s best for our son…”
That’s when Toucher hung up on Walton, accusing him of rooting for the Lakers. Even 14 years ago, it was just a ridiculous ploy to try to find something to get mad at. Sure, Walton is considered one of the greatest Celtics of all time, but do we need to besmirch a father being happy for his son for winning a championship?
Walton loved life. And he loved his family.
There’s nothing more to it — and there shouldn’t be. Walton lived life to the fullest, and we were all better for it, even those who only got to experience him as a broadcaster. Yeah, he was an eccentric personality, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a human being with grieving family and loved ones.
It seems respecting those who just died that nobody has a bad word to say about should be the bare minimum in sports radio. But for whatever reason, Toucher couldn’t wait to pounce on Walton because he talked differently and dared to root for his son, who played for a rival team.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.