Tom Hammond
Tom Hammond | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Taylor Hammond May 10, 1944 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky |
| Occupation | Sports commentator |
| Years active | 1984–2021 |
| Employers |
|
| Television | NBC Sports (1984–2021) |
| Spouse | Sheleigh Hammond |
| Children | 3 |
Thomas Taylor Hammond (born May 10, 1944[1]) is an American former sports commentator. Hammond began working with NBC Sports in 1984. Hammond covered Thoroughbred Racing on NBC and Notre Dame Football on NBC.
Hammond also served as the play-by-play announcer for NBC's coverage of track and field at the Summer Olympic Games and speed skating events during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
NBC Sports
Horse racing
While working at WLEX-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, Hammond's tenure at NBC began in 1984, when he was named as a co-host of the inaugural Breeders' Cup alongside Dick Enberg. It was supposed to be a one-shot deal for Hammond, but network execs were so impressed, he ended up getting a long-term contract. He was the main host of the network's thoroughbred racing coverage[2] until Mike Tirico took over in 2017.[3]
Football
Hammond's duties at NBC expanded to covering many other sports. He was the network's play-by-play voice for its coverage of Notre Dame football alongside analysts
From the 1985 NFL season until NBC lost the NFL on NBC after 1997 season, Hammond had a regular slot working regional Sunday games.
Hammond was considered the leading play-by-play candidate when NBC won the bidding for
Hammond and Collinsworth also serve as the announcing team on the Madden NFL 09 video game in 2008 and 2009,[6] Madden NFL 10.[7]
Olympics
Hammond also has been very much involved in NBC's
Hammond continued as the lead track and field commentator for the NBC through the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
At the
.For the 2018 Winter Olympics, Hammond moved to cover Speed Skating in what would be his final Olympic games.
Basketball
Hammond was a play by play announcer for the
Regional sports
SEC basketball
In 1980, Hammond began regionally broadcasting Southeastern Conference basketball games. He continued with this package with various rights holders including TVS, Sports Productions Inc., Lorimar, Jefferson-Pilot, Lincoln Financial and Raycom. Hammond concluded his work on SEC games at the end of the 2008–09 season after which ESPN became the rightsholder. [10]
Honors and awards
He was the first recipient of the annual Outstanding Kentuckian Award given by the A.B. Chandler Foundation, is a charter member of the Lafayette High School Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Inducted into the KY Pro Football HOF in 2006.[11]
Career timeline
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–2009 | Regional SEC Basketball | Play-by-play | Various |
| 1984–2016 | Thoroughbred Racing on NBC | Host | NBC |
| 1985–1998 | NFL on NBC | Play-by-play | |
| 1990–2002 | NBA on NBC
| ||
| 1992–2018 | NBC Olympics | ||
| 2000–2012 | College Football on NBC
| ||
| 2003–2006 | AFL on NBC | ||
| 2017–2012 | NFL on NBC | ||
| 2007 | Thursday Night Football | Play-by-play (fill-in) | NFL Network |
References
- ^ "Thomas T. Hammond". ukalumni.net. University of Kentucky Alumni Association. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "TOM HAMMOND". Archived from the original on August 23, 2013.
Tom Hammond hosts NBC's horse racing coverage, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, as well as Summer at Saratoga and Autumn at Keeneland.
- ^ "2017 Kentucky Derby: Mike Tirico succeeds Tom Hammond". NBC Sports. April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
- ^ Raissman, Bob (January 12, 2010). "For NBC, Joe Gibbs, Joe Theismann and Tom Hammond are first & wrong during Jets-Bengals telecast". Articles.nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ https://archive.506sports.com/wiki/2011_NFL_Season
- ^ "Madden NFL 09 : Madden 2009 - EA Games". Ea.com. November 12, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ Alan, Scott (October 3, 2010). "Madden NFL 10 - Overview". allgame. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ "NBC commentators surprised, shocked by judges". ESPN. February 11, 2002. Archived from the original on March 6, 2003. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/061299bkn-sandomir-column.html
- ^ https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article43993374.html
- ^ "Alumni Choose Three Nominees to Board". News.uky.edu. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
