One of the most prominent English soccer voices ever has passed away. John Motson called more than 2,000 live matches for the BBC across TV and radio from 1968 through 2008, then continued to commentate on Match of the Day highlights and more before fully retiring from the corporation in 2017. All in all, he covered 10 FIFA World Cups, 10 UEFA European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals, and he was the primary commentator for Electronic Arts’ย FIFAย game series from 1996 through 2005. The BBC announced his passing Thursday:
Rest in peace, John Motson.
The legendary commentator, who had an illustrious 50-year career with the BBC, has died aged 77.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 23, 2023
And tributes to Motson poured in from across the soccer world:
As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else. Terribly sad.
— Clive Tyldesley (@CliveTyldesley) February 23, 2023
Very sad to hear of the passing of John Motson. Probably the most famous football commentator of them all. Meticulously researched and retaining boyish enthusiasm and love of the game over half a century of the biggest games , he set the gold standard.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) February 23, 2023
RIP John Motson ๐
An absolute Legend of the game.
So many of us grew up listening to this man describe the action & goals on MOTD & cup finals. Sad loss.
๐๏ธ โฝ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/R9nWShRTzD— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 23, 2023
Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died. A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. Heโll be very much missed. RIP Motty.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 23, 2023
Saddened to learn that legendary commentator John Motson has passed away. His memorable commentary and unique voice inspired so many around the world. One of the most iconic and legend of the game will be dearly missed. Rest in peace โMottyโ pic.twitter.com/ty2orTooKW
— Ian Rush MBE (@Ian_Rush9) February 23, 2023
Just heard the sad news about Motty ๐ข Had the pleasure of working with the legendary John Motson on numerous occasions – a true gent. Such a lovely man RIP Motty pic.twitter.com/sewh10lG4w
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) February 23, 2023
My little tribute in the House to John Motson – a commentator not just for the great matches on TV but on the matches in the heads of millions of kids as they played football in their back gardens. A legend who will be much missed. pic.twitter.com/jCxDCusEJE
— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) February 23, 2023
Oh how sad! End of an era #RIPMotty #JohnMotson the voice of English Football! So proud to have worked with him on #BendiikeBeckham. He moved the film โค๏ธ Look at what a total pro he is here pic.twitter.com/1Tl6WemxvY
— Gurinder Chadha OBE ๐ (@GurinderC) February 23, 2023
One trademark of Motson was his sheepskin coat, which he started wearing during a snowstorm ahead of a Wycombe Wanderers-Peterborough United clash in December 1990 (seen at top). The BBC posted a 1999 interview with him reflecting on that:
Legendary football commentator John Motson has died, aged 77. Reflecting in 1999 on an illustrious career that would go on to span 50 years, he revealed the origin story of his trademark sheepskin coat, which you can then see being put to good use during a snowstorm in Wycombe. pic.twitter.com/uD28gdicSV
— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) February 23, 2023
Many on Twitter also reflected on some of Motson’s most famous calls. That included Hereford’s remarkable upset of Newcastle United in a 1972 FA Cup replay, where Motson’s “Oh, what a goal! What a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd, the crowd are invading the pitch!” call launched his career to new heights:
The moment that made John Motson.
Rest in peace to a footballing legend pic.twitter.com/kGBG1eeDet
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 23, 2023
Here’s Motson calling the winning goal in the 1986 World Cup Final, where Diego Maradona set up Jorge Burruchaga:
"Can he do it? It's there!"
John Motson and Jimmy Hill, 1986 ๐ฏ pic.twitter.com/6JL9bduzwS
— Mexico86HQ ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ตโฝ (@Mexico86HQ) February 23, 2023
Here’s Motson’s call of Blackburn Rovers’ 1994-95 Premier League championship, which they won on the last day despite a loss to Liverpool:
๐๏ธ "๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ'๐ฉ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ, ๐๐ฉ'๐จ ๐ก๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ! ๐๐๐๐ฎ'๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ค-๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฌ๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ'๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ฃ๐!"
The late, great John Motson's commentary of the greatest moment in #Rovers history.#RIPMotty ๐ตโช pic.twitter.com/R3UprHfLti
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 23, 2023
And here’s Motson calling a dazzling Paul Gascoigne goal from Euro 96:
So sad to hear the passing of the legendary John Motson ๐ข
When I remember classic football moments, my head always go back to this sublime #Gazza goal at Euro 96 and Motty capturing it perfectly.
Will be sorely missed ๐#THFC #COYS #RIPJohnMotson pic.twitter.com/B2vG1OBRL5
— Football Confidential ๐ (@footballconfid1) February 23, 2023
Those are just a few of the highlights from Motson’s incredible career. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
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