Play by Play: A Sportscaster's Memoir of Iconic Moments | William Morrow

Behind the mic, behind the moments

William Morrow presents Play by Play, a deeply personal memoir from Verne Lundquist, the voice behind five decades of unforgettable sports moments. From the electric Saturdays of SEC football to the hush before a Masters finish, this book invites readers into the booth, the locker rooms, and the arenas where history unfolds. Lundquist narrates not just the plays, but the rhythms, rituals, and relationships that shape a lifelong broadcasting journey. Readers may feel the stadium roar, hear the grass beneath the cleats, and sense the anticipation that comes with a big moment, all while discovering how memories are built one broadcast at a time.

Inside moments that shaped sports history

Across a storied career, Lundquist revisits events that many fans remember vividly, and some that deserve a closer look. He takes you back to Jack Nicklaus's 1986 Masters triumph, the audacious drama of Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympics, and the sweep of the Auburn–Alabama rivalry that electrified 2013 Saturday afternoons. The narrative goes beyond highlights, offering a window into the craft of live broadcasting—the pacing, the cadence, and the careful balance between celebration and context. Along the way, he shares candid recollections about colleagues and competitors, including Terry Bradshaw and John Madden, while reflecting on his nuanced partnership with Pat Summerall. The result is a portrait of sports as a living story, told with warmth, humor, and a trace of humility.

What you’ll discover

• Behind-the-scenes storytelling that reveals how iconic calls come together
• Personal anecdotes that humanize the voices behind the games you love
• Historic moments reexamined through the lens of a veteran broadcaster
• Friendships, rivalries, and the camaraderie that fuels a long career

A companion thread through the memoir is a visual archive—fifty photos from Lundquist’s personal collection—that punctuate the narrative with faces, venues, and era-defining atmospheres. These images offer a tangible link to the stories, enriching the sense of place and time that defines a lifetime on the air.

The reading experience

• A respectful, insightful tribute to sports history and the craft of broadcasting
• Vivid sensory details that bring stadiums, courts, and broadcast booths to life
• Humor, warm humanity, and a candid look at the people who shaped big moments
• A thoughtful exploration of how moments become memories for fans and aspiring broadcasters

Whether you are a longtime follower of Verne Lundquist, a student of sports media, or simply someone who loves a well-told life story, Play by Play offers a front-row seat to moments that defined generations. It invites you to reflect on the rituals of sport, the power of a well-timed call, and the human connections that keep the game in our hearts long after the final whistle.